Workers at the Kowloon House restaurant in Quezon City, Philippines have won a wage increase, improved benefits, and the release of unpaid service charges after a six-day strike that halted operations at one of the chain’s busiest branches.
The strike began on April 15 after management allegedly failed to implement a ₱25 wage increase promised under a collective bargaining agreement signed in 2021 between the union and Katipunan Food Services Inc., the company operating the branch.
Following negotiations on April 20 mediated by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, management agreed to raise workers’ pay by ₱40 over two years and to return unpaid service charges through staggered payments.
Union leaders estimate the company owes workers about ₱570,000 in withheld service charges. The settlement also includes a signing bonus, vacation and sick leave, union leave, loyalty pay, educational assistance, and mobilization support.
“This strike is a historic victory that reinforces the role of the working class as the creators of the world’s wealth,” the Glowhrain chapter of Kilusang Mayo Uno at Kowloon House said in a statement. “The workers have demonstrated that a strike is their primary weapon against violations of their rights, and that their unity is what drives their success.”
The walkout reportedly disrupted production for nearly a week. Workers said the branch typically produces about 10,000 orders of siomai and 6,000 orders of siopao daily, generating more than ₱1.5 million in sales each day, with an estimated ₱400,000 in daily profit.
Management acknowledged the strike posed a major challenge to operations as production remained stalled throughout the dispute.
The workers’ action also drew support from labor groups, youth organizations, farmers, environmental advocates, faith-based groups, and human rights defenders who joined picket lines during the strike.
While celebrating the agreement, workers said their fight reflects broader labor struggles across the country. “The minimum wage remains far from a living wage,” the union said, adding that the Kowloon strike is part of a wider push for secure jobs, fair pay, and respect for workers’ rights.
