Kowloon House West workers protested at West Avenue, Quezon City on April 24 against the planned layoff of over 70 workers and the closure of its Noodle House. Workers called Kowloon House West management’s step a retaliatory attack after it signed an agreement with the Glowhrain-KMU Kowloon House West Chapter resulting from a six-day strike.

Workers said Kowloon management’s Katipunan Food Services Inc (KFSI) informed them of the Noodle House closure in a meeting on April 22. Management did not provide the Glowhrain-KMU Kowloon House West Chapter formal notice or consultation regarding this plan.

The union insisted the layoff is illegal because the Noodle House workers are covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which the National Conciliation and Mediation Board also recognizes. Annex B of the CBA or “Dimsum Counter Boy and Girl” covers these workers.

“Management has long refused to recognize Noodle House workers. NCMB recognized us, but management’s response was to lay us off. This is outright suppression. Many of us have worked years but still get minimum wage, with constant reassignments,” Noodle House worker Arnel Diwa said.

The union slammed management’s use of the owner’s health condition as excuse for the closure. They said does not justify setting aside due process, labor agreements, job protection, and other rights.

Management’s layoff also violates the Memorandum of Agreement it signed with the union after the strike. The agreement explicitly bans any retaliation against workers. The union immediately reported management’s step to NCMB in response.

Workers and the union officially ended on April 20 their strike which began on April 14. They secured management’s commitment to implement wage increases and release long-overdue benefits. They agreed on a ₱20/day wage hike and management’s payment of its ₱570,000 service charge debt to workers.

The strike succeeded because of workers’ and the union’s firm stance, and broad support from fellow workers, students and professionals, and groups. The call to boycott Kowloon products also gained ground. The union expressed deepest gratitude to all who supported them.