Motorcycle firm asks union members to stop harassment

A motorcycle company filed a counter-manifestation at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) to stop the continuing harassment and mockery of its officials through social media committed by union members, as it is causing reputational damage to the company.

In the said manifestation, Kawasaki Motors said the union members “have enjoyed benefits way above the industry standard and the inflation rate during their tenure at KPMC, yet they still blindly believe that KPMC could give them their blue sky demands, which could lead to its eventual closure.”

Atty. John Bonifacio, external legal counsel of the company, said they deeply respect the rights of workers to peaceably assemble, self-organize, and bargain collectively with management.

The counter-manifestation, which was filed last Monday, said, “However, it is also deeply rooted in our justice system that the exercise of the right to organize is not limitless, as safeguards and limitations have been imposed on its exercise to ensure its orderly conduct and to maintain the industrial peace.”

Atty. Bonifacio said the union workers have resorted to name-calling and publicly ridiculing Kawasaki officials through social media, despite repeated efforts by the company to reach out to them for negotiation.

He said the strike staged by workers since May violates the “No Strike, No Lockout” clause of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, signed by both parties in May 2022.

The workers have been demanding a 10.5 percent annual salary increase for July 1 of 2024, 2025, and 2026, plus an additional P50.00 a month in basic pay, but Kawasaki Motors argued that it could only afford a five (5) percent increase due to losses from the pandemic.

The company also disputed the claims of the union workers, stating that it has incurred losses of around Php 685 million after taxes from 2022 to 2024. It added that during this period, Kawasaki did not declare dividends to preserve liquidity, support operational continuity, and ensure long-term sustainability.

The NCMB was furnished by KPMC with its financial statements showing incurred losses for the last three years, citing that the 11.50 percent salary increase being demanded by the workers is way beyond the company’s capacity.

It has offered a five (5) percent increase to workers, but this was rejected by the union.