The 21st negotiation meeting between the Nexperia Workers Philippines Inc. Workers Union-National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NWPIWU-NAFLU-KMU) and the capitalists of Nexperia Philippines ended in another deadlock on November 29. The union began negotiating for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in January but has run into continuous resistance from the company.

The union stated that the capitalists are engaging in hostage-like tactics, insisting on a meager proposal of a ₱17 daily wage increase and a ₱15,000 signing bonus. The management claims that the budget for the CBA will be reverted due to the approaching end of the fiscal year.

“This explanation is unacceptable because if they want the CBA finalized, they should have prepared a counter-proposal or adjusted their low offer,” NWPIWU stated. The union is also not convinced by the company’s claim that some of its officials in Malaysia and others who could provide answers to the deadlock will have to be consulted.

The workers emphasize that they should benefit from a reserved budget for the CBA as it comes from Nexperia’s earnings from their labor over the past three years. “They are stealing this (from the workers,) thus prolonging the negotiation, and now they are closing the budget? This is outright deception,” said the union.

The workers’ justified demand is for the company to build on the victories the workers already enjoy and have secured from the previous CBAs. Instead, the capitalist Nexperia subjects them to various maneuvers and pressures.

The company attempted to prevent the workers’ collective action on November 29 by delaying the shuttle that was supposed to pick them up. Additionally, the union reported a heavy presence of security guards and police around the company while the workers were protesting.

In response, the workers staged a larger protest at the factory on November 30, Andres Bonifacio’s birthday and the Toiling Masses’ Day of Reckoning. They marched outside the Light Industry and Science Park (LISP) in Calamba City, Laguna.

Meanwhile, the NWPIWU received numerous greetings from sister unions and federations on its anniversary. The union was established by workers from the former Philips company on December 1, 1982.