Workers of PhilFoods Fresh Baked Product Inc protested again at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Region IV-A in Calamba, Laguna on April 24 to condemn the refusal of the PhilFoods capitalist to negotiate for increase wages and benefits in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

The Union of Bakers in PhilFoods Fresh Baked Product Inc. (UPPFBPI-OLALIA-KMU) brought their case to the NCMB Region IV-A following the deadlock or refusal of the capitalist to meet their demands.

Negotiations for the CBA began in January. It can be recalled that before the official start of negotiations, the management delayed the negotiations by refusing to agree on simple “bargaining ground rules.”

The group says despite their suffering in the factory, “rottenness, extreme penny-pinching and disregard of capitalist PhilFoods still prevails.” They said they are only asking for a fair wage increase and sufficient benefits to keep up with the rising prices of basic goods, but the company remains insensitive.

An Ibon Foundation study estimates that ₱1,123 is required as a family living wage for a family of five in Region IV-A. Meanwhile, the minimum daily wage in the region is pegged at P520.

It was just in September 2023 that the UPPFBPI-OLALIA-KMU won the certification election to represent factory workers. The union got 295 votes out of a total of 341 voters in the election, while the rival union got 25 votes.

PhilFoods Fresh Baked Product Inc is a sister factory of Gardenia Bakeries that makes bread for Gardenia, a multinational company. The PhilFoods factory is located at LIIP Avenue, Barangay Mamplasan, Biñan, Laguna.