WORKERS of a logistics company in the Philippines are set to go on strike as negotiation mediated by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) failed to resolve a labor dispute concerning the workers’ health maintenance organization (HMO) and illegal dismissals.
Union members of the logistics company PH Global Jet Express, operating locally as J&T Express, filed a notice of strike on Oct. 9, accusing the company of violating their collective bargaining agreement and unfair labor practices, including the denial of health benefits and illegal dismissal of members.
United Rank-and-File Employees of J&T Express (URFE J&T Express-FFW) President Ferdinand D. Cusi said the workers should have free access to medical and hospital care as part of their health benefits, but J&T denied those.
“All legal requirements — including the notice of strike, cooling-off period, strike vote, and submission — have been met, making the strike legally authorized. We can go on strike,” said Mr. Cusi in mixed English and Filipino in a statement.
J&T did not immediately respond to a Facebook Messenger chat seeking comment.
J&T has some 10,000 workers nationwide. It services e-commerce platforms Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and others.
The union members who will go on strike include drivers, truck assistants, and workers from transporter units operating 6-wheeler and 10-wheeler trucks, as well as processing staff, commonly known as sorters, the FFW said in a statement. — Chloe Marie A. Hufana
