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History of the KMP-TUCP


ORIGIN

Several attempts had been made in the past at establishing a Philippine labor center.

The eventual founding of the TUCP was the result of the spadework done earlier by the Philippine Labor Coordinating Council (PLCC). The PLCC was tasked to map out strategies for the formation of a unified labor center.

There had been the Collective Labor Movement (1945), the Congress of the Labor Organization (1945), the Philippine Trade Unions Council (1945), the first Katipunang Manggagawang Pilipino (1959), the Philippine Labor Center (1962), and the Philippine Congress of Trade Unions (1970).

In particular, the Philippine Trade Unions Congress (PTUC), founded in 1948 is recognized as the forerunner of the present day TUCP. From the PTUC’s original member federations, some are still with the TUCP to this day. The PTUC original federations were: PTGWO, NATU, CEPOC, NUFL, ULGW, GWSU, UOEF, AMPW, PFL, PAFLU, MATU, APCWU, GSISSU, NAMWU, AWU, DPTGWU.

TUCP today has the following federations in its fold which were also with the original PTUC: PTGWO Dinglasan, MATU, UOEF, PFL, PAFLU. Some of TUCP’s member federations are evolutions of the original PTUC members.

These saw their launching into existing in different years from as early as just before World War II to 30 April 1975.

None of these, however, survived beyond a short-lived existence. Clashes of personalities cut short the existence of these attempts.

But the same labor leaders who had attempted at a national center earlier and then parted ways patched up their differences each time until, finally, the Katipunang Manggagawang Pilipino/Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (KMP/TUCP) was established on 14 December 1975.

A “Double 10” requirement was set down: (1) at least 10,000 members; and (2) at least 10 CBAs.

Among the labor leaders who co-founded the National Labor Center were: Roberto S. Oca, Philippine Transport and General Workers Organization-ITF; Democrito T. Mendoza, Associated Labor Unions – Philcontu; and Bonifacio V. Tupas, Trade Unions of the Philippines and Allied Services (TUPAS).

Zoilo dela Cruz, Jr., National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines; Antonio B. Diaz, Philippine Social Security Labor Union – United Labor Organization; Rudolfo A, Fernandez, Davao Port General and Transport Workers Union merged with the Mindanao Federation of Labor headed by Cipriano C. Malonzo and General Maritime Stevedores Union headed by Guillermo C. Sambo; Crispin Gastardo, Philippine Labor Federation; Gabriel M. Gatchalian, Philippine Federation of Labor merged with All Philippine Maritime Workers Federation headed by Alejandro Suansing; Onofre S. Guevara, Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions – Guevara; Ernesto F. Herrera, Associated Labor Union for Metalworkers; Aurelio S. Intertas, Union de Obreros de Estivedores de Filipinas; Cesar L. Legayada, Federation of Unions of Rizal;

Eulogio R. Lerum, National Labor Unions; Marcelino Lontok, Jr., National Association of Trade Unions merged with Philippine Federation of Petroleum and Chemical Workers headed by Herminia M. Briones; Catalino G. Luzano, Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions – Luzano; Ricardo R. Manalad, Philippine Technical, Clerical, Commercial Employees Association; Jeremias U. Montemayor, Federation of Free Farmers;

Godofredo B. Paceno, United Lumber and General Workers of the Philippines; Jaime T. Rincal, Mindanao Association of Trade Unions; Mario S. Santos, Associated Labor Unions for Transport Workers; Laureano C. Sayas, Jr., Federacion Obrera de la Industria Tabaquera y Otros Trabajadores de Filipinas; Januario T. Seno, Associated Labor Unions for Textile Workers; and Jacinto S. Tamayo, Philippine Labor Alliance Council;

Ruben de Ocampo, National Trade Union of Workers in U.S. Bases and Agencies in the Philippines.

KMP/TUCP later saw a fallout of some of these co-founders, again, due to a clash of personalities.

But one thing is clear: KMP/TUCP was established for the very same reason that past attempts at a national labor center had been made and by the same labor leaders who had come together in earlier efforts.

OBJECTIVES

TUCP is committed to, among other things:

  • Establishing and maintaining an effective, free and unified trade union movement in the Philippines, and working for the improvement of the working people;
  • Promoting activities and/or welfare programs beneficial to workers;
  • Helping achieve a stable economy for the country through the medium of peaceful and harmonious employee-employer relations;
  • Conducting and supporting labor education, research and training programs;
  • Promoting industry-wide collective bargaining with employers’ associations and assisting its members in bargaining better conditions of employment;
  • Promoting democratization of wealth ownership as a means of achieving a sound, stable and lasting economy.

For carrying out its aims and objectives, TUCP has set-up operating departments; economic affairs, education and research, international affairs, legal, membership services, national affairs, organization, publications and information, rural workers, women’s, youth.

The operating departments develop and implement policy for TUCP and its affiliates on matters within their sphere, and apprise workers and the general community about these things.

The Congress extends full autonomy to affiliates in running their and their members’ affairs.