Real Life Champions: A Tribute To Unsung Heroes, by Monica Lunot Kuker, former worker at TEMIC (previously known as Telefunken Semi Conductors)

The passing of Renato Constantino Jr., or Ka RC as we used to call him, last April has brought back memories of the union strike we had in 1995.

As I fly from Vienna to New York, my thoughts drift like the clouds outside the plane’s window. His loss is a significant one for the Filipino working class. He was one of those unsung heroes who worked behind the scenes for fair justice and equal rights for the working class.

 

Even though there are new progressive leaders genuinely fighting for workers’ rights, some individuals clearly hide behind a mask of concern to serve their vested interests. Additionally, certain groups are dominated by patriarchal, machismo male activists who frown upon women taking on frontline roles.

Renato Constantino Jr. (Ka RC, as we affectionately called him) visited Temic (formerly Telefunken Semi Conductor) workers alongside his wife, demonstrating solidarity with the strikers, mostly women, who had gathered at the Department of Labor in 1997.

These courageous men and women demanded the long-overdue implementation of the DOLE “back to work order,” which had been repeatedly ignored, favoring German investors over the devoted pioneer workers, many of whom had served for more than 10 years before being unlawfully terminated due to a failed collective bargaining agreement.

Bribery among Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) officials is rampant, often favoring and protecting the interests of foreign capitalists, rather than advocating for the rights and welfare of Filipino workers.

(The Temic striking workers 1995)

Ka RC extended invaluable support to us, providing not only food but also legal assistance alongside Felimon “Popoy” Lagman. On the eve of New Year’s Eve, Ka RC drove me around Manila, tirelessly searching for a church that could shelter more than 70 striking workers. Given the threats to our union President, Liza Dimaano’s life, the union decided to keep her hidden from public view, emphasizing the grave dangers we faced during those turbulent times.

Ka RC accompanied me as I led the efforts to seek assistance from various churches, witnessing my growing disappointment firsthand. This experience served as an eye-opener, challenging my faith when not a single Catholic church responded positively to my pleas. Overwhelmed with helplessness, I broke down in tears. Ultimately, we found shelter in a small Aglipayan church in Pasay.

The hypocrisy of the Catholic Church became painfully evident during this ordeal. Their dismissive and unsympathetic treatment of our cause stood in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus, who himself was an activist.

A male church employee frowned upon me and refused to listen, turning his back as I desperately explained our plight. He coldly declared that the church couldn’t provide shelter, demonstrating a complete lack of empathy for the vulnerable situation of the striking workers on New Year’s Eve.

To them, our struggle was nothing more than a rebellious act, utterly disregarding the injustices we faced. Despite these adversities, the solidarity among the workers remained unwavering, and together, we vowed to persevere in our fight for justice.

In a desperate move, the strikers decided to demand an audience with President Fidel Ramos, camping outside Gate 4 in Malacañang. Around 11 PM, four union leaders, including myself, were urgently instructed to leave the area by Ka RC and Popoy, who had received a tip-off from a high-ranking police officer about a planned abduction. Without hesitation, RC drove the four of us to their home, where we were warmly welcomed by their family, given food, and provided with comfortable beds. We proceeded to engage in brainstorming sessions and other discussions late into the night.

The Temic strikers of 1995 may have faded from public memory, but their fight for justice remains unresolved. Several administrations have come and gone, yet they’ve all failed to deliver justice, despite multiple victories at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and, ultimately, the Supreme Court. During my interview on ex-Vice President Leni Robredo’s program, we both agreed that workers’ rights and justice for Filipino workers are fraught with loopholes.

Sadly, the current President Marcos Jr. administration continues to prioritize other concerns over the needs of the Filipino working class.

The persistence of slave wages, no-union policies, and temporary contracts (ENDO — End of Employment Contract) has become the norm, leading to widespread exploitation of workers.

Many are afraid to form unions due to companies’ No Union policies, fearing the loss of their jobs. Sadly, after 24 years of my migration to the US, it appears that Filipinos are more enslaved than ever in their own beloved country. The Philippine government seems to be under the control of Chinese and other foreign capitalists, powerless to protect its own people.

I hope that one day the slumbering working class will rise and forcefully resist the ongoing abuses they face. I look to the fearless women of the Temic strikes, who fought side by side with their male counterparts, as modern-day Joan of Arcs. I applaud their courage and determination.

Even though we may have been defeated by a corrupt system, these women demonstrated that we are more than capable of standing up for our rights and facing adversity head-on. We can take pride in knowing that we fought a good fight.

“It’s better to lose some of battles in the struggle for your dreams than to be defeated without ever even knowing what you’re fighting for.” — Paulo Coelho