MANILA — Workers of the Genuine Labor Organization of Workers in Hotel, Restaurant, and Allied Industries–KMU–Kowloon House West Chapter (GLOWHRAIN-KMU-KHWC) have raised concerns over a possible sale, lease, transfer, or merger involving Kowloon House following a memorandum issued by management restricting union activities near the establishment’s West Avenue branch in Quezon City.

According to the union, the management of Katipunan Food Services Inc. (KFSI) recently released a memo prohibiting union activities along West Avenue, claiming that the area “is no longer part of KFSI premises.”

The development came after the company allegedly failed to attend a conference called by the Department of Labor and Employment on March 12. The meeting followed the union’s filing of a Notice of Strike on March 6 after negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) reached a deadlock.

The union said management has repeatedly changed legal counsel and has since relied on third-party human resource managers or consultants instead of directly negotiating with workers.

Union president Bernard Dimaunahan said a recent change at the site has raised further concerns among employees.

“Rather than resolving the dispute, we are faced with a new memo. On March 14, the signage of Kowloon House had been taken down and was replaced with a tarpaulin of ‘‘Tri-Angle Bar & Billiards’.

This action raises serious questions about possible sale, lease, transfer, or merger of the company’s ownership or management without due diligence and without providing the union the documentation required under the CBA. We strongly condemn this retaliation as a blatant attempt to evade accountability and suppress the workers’ fundamental right to assembly,” Dimaunahan said.

Workers also reported an increased presence of security personnel inside and around the workplace, which they described as creating an atmosphere of intimidation toward employees and union organizers.

The union alleged that while the company has spent resources on consultants, lawyers, and additional security personnel, it has yet to address the workers’ demands.

Despite the developments, workers said they remain united and are drawing lessons from a previous strike held in 2008.

The union reiterated its demands, which include a ₱35 wage increase, additional manpower, regularization of workers, and other benefits.

GLOWHRAIN-KMU-KHWC also called on the public to support the workers as the dispute continues.