Unions of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila say they will continue to fight for job security amid securing an agreement with management to reinstate workers once the hotel reopens, which only materialized after the closure.
The unions said about 70 percent of its members already accepted severance pay due to pressure from management and family financial needs.
Hotel grounds closed on June 30 for renovations, contrary to previous reports of a permanent closure, and 1,200 workers—500 regular staff and 700 contractual–lost their jobs.
However, the unions remain optimistic. Marco Jalandoni, National Union of Workers in Hotels, Restaurants and Allied Industries (NUWHRAIN) secretary general, said, “Our victory is in securing the future of the union. We were able to ensure the return of the remaining union members once the hotel reopens, and our negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement will continue.”
Workers added that amid their persistent demand for negotiations, the hotel held job fairs prior to closing, with the majority of offers contract positions with few regular managerial jobs. Benster Moleno, education and communications officer of the NUWHRAIN-Philippine Plaza Chapter (PPC), said, “Many workers are unqualified for these positions, and job opportunities outside Metro Manila are impractical.”
The unions organized a media campaign with picket actions in front of hotel grounds leading up to the closure, which were followed by local news outlets. Senator Risa Hontiveros called for an investigation after listening to the workers’ plight two days before operations ceased.
Nestor Cabada, NUWHRAIN-PPC president, said, “The hardest thing right now is how those employees without jobs—how the whole union will survive until the hotel reopens. But as we always say: even if there is only one of us standing, the union will remain and continue the fight. We will leave no one behind.”