The management of Kowloon House West in Quezon City has launched successive attacks on workers’ and union rights over more than a month after the strike by workers. Workers face threats, harassment, and intimidation following the illegal closure and dismissals at Kowloon’s noodle house. Kowloon is operated by Katipunan Food Services Inc (KFSI).

The union Glowhrain-KMU-Kowloon House West Chapter condemned the series of attacks. The latest is the premature payment of an incomplete separation pay to workers dismissed from the noodle house and the takeout counter that closed on April 22.

According to the union,the management is forcing workers to accept separation pay equivalent to only 15 days per year of service instead of 22.5 days per year. It carried out the early dismissals despite ongoing negotiations before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In a May 11 hearing between the union and management before DOLE, the parties agreed on 22.5 days per year including management. Meanwhile, company representatives failed to appear at a May 20 scheduled hearing, which would supposedly finalize the number of workers to be reinstated and the final amount of the separation package for those to be dismissed.

As a management tactic, it consolidated workers’ final pay into the separation pay so that workers would accept it as a single payment. The union said management is eager to hasten the dismissal of workers. It is also pressuring workers to simply accept the low offer.

Management even tried to sow division among workers by accusing the union of setting the separation pay at only 15 days. It also spread that the union had removed the midyear bonus from the separation pay. According to the Glowhrain-KMU-Kowloon House West Chapter, all these are lies without basis or proof.

The union also denounced the sudden halt in company production starting May 21. Workers said they were not given prior notice, explanation, or any clarification from management, causing anxiety over their job security.

“The sudden halt in production threatens our job security. Management says product demand is high now, so why are they suddenly stopping,” union president Bernard Dimaunahan said.

Workers also reported that management removed production machines from the restaurant. This heightened workers’ fear that Kowloon is preparing for a permanent closure and suspension of operations.

The union called on DOLE to immediately intervene and ensure investigation of the successive incidents that violate workers’ rights and job security. They also urged the public to support their current struggle against union busting, illegal dismissals, and denial of just compensation and job security.

“We fought for our rights to wages and work during the strike and closed it in good faith. They are now clearly violating the agreement through various retaliatory actions,” Dimaunahan said. He added the union will use every form and process available to restore conditions at the company. “But we will not hesitate to strike again if necessary,” he declared militantly.