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Union protests surprise layoffs at Canlubang milk plant, files notice of strike

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:38 p.m.) — Wyeth Philippines Progressive Workers Union has filed a notice of strike at the regional National Conciliation and Mediation Board office in Laguna over the nutrition giant’s termination of 140 workers, a move that workers said violated a collective bargaining agreement with the company.

Workers at the Wyeth Nutrition plant in Canlubang were barred from going to work on Thursday without warning, the union said. They were later allowed in only to be told that 140 of them, including 10 union officers, were being laid off so the company could cut costs.

“Management locked us out on May 18, they themselves ordered a stop to operations,” union president Debie Faigmani said in Filipino in a statement to media. Faigmani, who is among those laid off, said this was an illegal lockout that the union will protest.

The Labor Code defines a lockout as a

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Apple Continues Data Privacy Push, Now Focusing On Health App

You wouldn’t tell your family about your bunions, or the STI you caught from that one-night stand a few nights ago – so why should Apple and other third-party apps know that too? Apple is releasing a new campaign spotlighting Health Data Privacy – ooh, privacy, a topic we know the tech giant loves! – and this time they’re making it super personal.

As most iPhone and Apple Watch users will know, the beloved Health App makes it easy for users to access health and fitness information and provides users with meaningful insights to live a healthier life. The accompanying HealthKit securely stores health and fitness information, that users can choose to share with third-party apps and trusted friends and family when necessary.

With more and more folks sharing personal data online, Apple has built software to protect this data and gives users control over their data, as highlighted

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Wyeth Nutrition says no lockout of Laguna factory workers

MANILA, Philippines — Wyeth Nutrition said Friday it did not implement a lockout, reiterating the company respect employees’ rights despite the nutrition giant sending 140 workers into unemployment as a result of ongoing restructuring efforts. 

The statement was issued to Philstar.com, which first reported the story of the plight of these workers in Wyeth Nutrition’s factory in Canlubang, Laguna on Thursday.

“No lock-out was implemented by Wyeth management. We fully respect our employees’ rights, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of assembly,” the statement read. 

Wyeth Nutrition said management entered into a dialogue with union officers on Thursday and “encouraged them to allow their members to enter the factory.” The company has five factories in the Philippines, tasked with producing powdered and liquid beverages, milk products and ice cream, and prepared dishes and cooking aids.

For context, the 140 employees laid

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