On August 28, the Kawasaki United Labor Union (KULU) marked its 100th day of strike against Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation (KMPC), because of the continuing dispute over wage increases and benefits that began last May 21.
The strike broke out after collective bargaining negotiations between the union and management reached a deadlock. KULU has demanded a 10.5% salary increase that may be spread across the three years of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA), citing the rising cost of living and inflation. The union insists that the demand is negotiable and well within the company’s capacity to provide.
According to KULU, KMPC reported revenues of ₱35 billion from 2021 to 2023 while spending only ₱300 million on labor costs. The workers argue that the proposed wage increase would have minimal impact on company profits yet would significantly improve workers’ livelihoods.
Despite these figures, KMPC has stood firm on offering only a 5% wage increase, which the union has rejected as inadequate.
The dispute escalated earlier this August when KMPC filed a notice of lockout against 289 rank-and-file workers. The company labeled the ongoing strike “illegal,” accusing the union of violating the “No Strike/No Lockout” clause included in the CBA signed in May 2022. The union, however, maintains that their strike is a legitimate exercise of workers’ rights enshrined in the Labor Code and the Philippine Constitution.
As KULU’s strike enters its fourth month, the standoff highlights broader tensions in Philippine labor relations, where workers continue to press for living wages and just benefits amid soaring prices.
Details about KULU and their ongoing strike are available on their official FaceBook page.
