Strike in Hyatt Regency Hotel Enters Its 2nd Week

The labor row at Hyatt Regency Hotel entered its 2nd week today as the management continues to deny the workers’ demands. Some 200 regular rank and file workers struck last May 10, 2002 after the Hotel illegally sacked 48 regular workers and replaced them with 60 contractual workers.

The management stood firm on their action despite the union’s proposal to settle the case in a conference called by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) last May 13. Instead, the hotel management petitioned the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) last May 15 to issue a temporary/permanent injunction against the striking workers. Last May 20, the hotel asked the labor arbiter to issue the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in 2 days time.

“The TRO would give the management the sanction to call for police intervention to disperse the striking workers. Obviously, the Hotel management’s strategy is to demoralize the strikers by wearing them out, hoping that in process, they could force the workers to give up their rightful demands,” Edwin Bustillos, president of Samahan ng mga Manggawa sa Hyatt, said.

“Such a strategy would not work. The strikers vow to continue the struggle. They could not give up their rights because nothing would be left of them once they give up on it,” Bustillos said.