Workers from the SG Farms Processing Plant and Maximus Dressing Plant in Barangay San Isidro, San Simon, Pampanga, staged a picket to protest the illegal closure of the facilities in recent months. Unions which are both affiliated with the National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU) led the action.

On October 8, Maximus Employees Union (MEU) workers established their picket line to protest the company’s sudden closure. Maximus declared the closure of the plant on July 18, a few days after the MEU registered its union on July 15. The union believes the closure is being used as a tactic to destroy the union and prevent negotiations for collectively bargaining agreement and other rights.

More than two weeks after the picket line was set up, SG Farms announced that it would close the adjacent facility starting on November 29. SG Farms is one of the suppliers of chicken to Jollibee and Wendy’s. The two facilities are located in the same compound, and workers strongly suspect that they are owned by the same entity.

In support, KMU secretary general and Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidate Jerome Adonis visited the picket line on December 2. “We can see the management’s union busting strategy. In other words, shutting down the company and setting up a new one is easier for them rather than improve their plant operations and face and address the workers’ new union,” Adonis stated.

Adonis shared that his interviews with the workers revealed that the management of SG Farms had sent a message to the picketers stating that “SG Farms will reopen if they dismantle the Maximus picket line.” This message further confirmed that union busting was at the core of the plant closures.

The MEU will hold a hearing on December 4 to confront the Maximus capitalist owner. The union will demand their separation pay, their absorption by the agency, and other workers’ rights. Currently, the workers are strengthening their picket line to ensure that no machinery is taken out from the two plants.

Part of reinforcing the picket line includes launching educational sessions for union members and workers. On November 24, NAFLU-KMU led a study session at the picket line, with the help of volunteers from the federation.