Organizing Workers through the night
till the new year
31/12/2005, Cheras Jaya
While most Malaysian were partying away celebrating the new year and as most Malaysian were doing the New Year countdown, Guppy Union members were counting votes to choose their new leadership as well as recruiting new members. Quite unprecedented, the Union leadership led by Koyilvani stood in front of their factory from as early as 12 noon till 12.30 after midnight, meeting workers, recruiting new members, conducting union elections as well as celebrating the new year. sending shivers to the factory boss on what a year to expect.
Guppy Plastic Workers Union formed 8 years ago by a group of women workers leaders still have a strong hold in the union though many of them were sacked by the company in less than 5 months after the union was formed. It is a battle for the founders to save the union from crumbling because the factory owners is as determined as ever to crush the union and bury it for good. Intimidation and victimization is part and parcel of the company's tactics all the while. Past incidence of workers being sacked, indimidation etc has been a hindrance as many members shy away from union activities. The workers are suffering in silent. Though the union lasted all these years, it has been ailing as the factory owner has tried to cut the links between the workers and the leadership, most of leadership being already sacked.
It is not an easy task to organize workers especially when the law of the country protects the rights of the employers to exploit the workers. Even a union approved by government must get recognition from employers to fully function as a union. E.g. Guppy union formed 8 years ago, is still not recognized by the employer. In fact, the office bearers who were sacked by the bosses are still waiting for the Industrial Court judgment! For Guppy Union, the law is not on their side and the bosses are having free hand in exploiting while the State government agencies watch in dumb silence..
This year the union had to postpone their annual general meeting twice because of no quorum. Both the employers and the government are just counting days for Guppy Workers Union to close shop but the leadership under Comrade Koyilvani and Rahimah were not willing to give up. A strategy was planned to revive the union. The last 3 weeks were fully utilized to campaign for new leadership and finally today the strategy worked.
As the year ended, and a new year born, the Guppy Employers suddenly have lost their smile. A banner at the entrance of the factory was an early reminder. The factory bosses, who normally take their Saturday off, were forced to come in to work, looking glumly.
More than a hundred union members, came in full force. Most of them very happy that the Union is alive and they participated actively. The AGM - an election took place right in front of the Guppy Plastic factory, in a food stall. 3 shift workers came out to vote during their break hours between 12 pm till 12.30 a.m. Labor activists from Community Development Center and Party Socialist Malaysia based in Kajang were there supporting the Union leadership in organizing the election. The process went on smoothly. About 90 members took part in the voting and it is the highest number of voter turnout compared to previous years. For the moment, the union has been revived. There were happiness surrounding the air and most Union leaders and the activist felt this was their best new year ever celebrated.
It was indeed a Happy New Year to the Union who worked through the day till midnight sending a clear messages on what a year 2006 is going to be..
Happy New Year to workers of the World and may the working class which produces the wealth of the world enjoy the fruits of its labour. Long Live the Working Class.
Written By,
Letchimi Devi
31/12/2005, Cheras Jaya
While most Malaysian were partying away celebrating the new year and as most Malaysian were doing the New Year countdown, Guppy Union members were counting votes to choose their new leadership as well as recruiting new members. Quite unprecedented, the Union leadership led by Koyilvani stood in front of their factory from as early as 12 noon till 12.30 after midnight, meeting workers, recruiting new members, conducting union elections as well as celebrating the new year. sending shivers to the factory boss on what a year to expect.
Guppy Plastic Workers Union formed 8 years ago by a group of women workers leaders still have a strong hold in the union though many of them were sacked by the company in less than 5 months after the union was formed. It is a battle for the founders to save the union from crumbling because the factory owners is as determined as ever to crush the union and bury it for good. Intimidation and victimization is part and parcel of the company's tactics all the while. Past incidence of workers being sacked, indimidation etc has been a hindrance as many members shy away from union activities. The workers are suffering in silent. Though the union lasted all these years, it has been ailing as the factory owner has tried to cut the links between the workers and the leadership, most of leadership being already sacked.
It is not an easy task to organize workers especially when the law of the country protects the rights of the employers to exploit the workers. Even a union approved by government must get recognition from employers to fully function as a union. E.g. Guppy union formed 8 years ago, is still not recognized by the employer. In fact, the office bearers who were sacked by the bosses are still waiting for the Industrial Court judgment! For Guppy Union, the law is not on their side and the bosses are having free hand in exploiting while the State government agencies watch in dumb silence..
This year the union had to postpone their annual general meeting twice because of no quorum. Both the employers and the government are just counting days for Guppy Workers Union to close shop but the leadership under Comrade Koyilvani and Rahimah were not willing to give up. A strategy was planned to revive the union. The last 3 weeks were fully utilized to campaign for new leadership and finally today the strategy worked.
As the year ended, and a new year born, the Guppy Employers suddenly have lost their smile. A banner at the entrance of the factory was an early reminder. The factory bosses, who normally take their Saturday off, were forced to come in to work, looking glumly.
More than a hundred union members, came in full force. Most of them very happy that the Union is alive and they participated actively. The AGM - an election took place right in front of the Guppy Plastic factory, in a food stall. 3 shift workers came out to vote during their break hours between 12 pm till 12.30 a.m. Labor activists from Community Development Center and Party Socialist Malaysia based in Kajang were there supporting the Union leadership in organizing the election. The process went on smoothly. About 90 members took part in the voting and it is the highest number of voter turnout compared to previous years. For the moment, the union has been revived. There were happiness surrounding the air and most Union leaders and the activist felt this was their best new year ever celebrated.
It was indeed a Happy New Year to the Union who worked through the day till midnight sending a clear messages on what a year 2006 is going to be..
Happy New Year to workers of the World and may the working class which produces the wealth of the world enjoy the fruits of its labour. Long Live the Working Class.
Written By,
Letchimi Devi
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