Phoebe De Leon: Migration and activism

by Levy Abad

Reflecting on migration and labour activism in the Filipino community and Winnipeg at large, one cannot ignore the contributions of Phoebe De Leon.

Phoebe De Leon, Chair of Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 3000 who hailed from Guimaras Island in the Philippines, arrived in Winnipeg on December 8, 1989, through the immigration stream “Assisted Relative Sponsorship.” The stream was an immigration policy of the government to sustain the province’s economic development. The ‘90s was a period when batches of immigrants arrived in the city. Along with this development, activist organizations like the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Pilipino or Filipino Workers Movement (KAMPI) that fought for rights and welfare started to form. Phoebe became an active member of this organization.

I asked Phoebe what drew her to community activism and solidarity. She proudly explained through Facebook Messenger that it was because of the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Pilipino of Winnipeg (KAMPI) that she underwent training on the rights and welfare of migrants and compassion for the motherland. She recalled that KAMPI used to conduct training on labour rights, community organizing, and solidarity. She also mentioned Neri Dimacali, a pioneer activist and vice-chair of CAW Local 2169 for two terms and KAMPI’s program coordinator during the 90s.

What’s unique about Phoebe’s experience? Her experiences are not only shaped by the Canadian context of unionism but more crucially, shaped by her participation with KAMPI. The organization stresses compassion for and understanding the root causes of migration, which is the semi-colonial and semi-feudal situation of the old country – a pre-industrial and agricultural context. According to the 2017 report of the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment or DOLE, an average of six thousand people leave the country for jobs abroad per day. By 1996, Phoebe shared that she became the Chairperson of a CAW Local 3000 when most of the organizers quit, and she was asked to volunteer as chair. Canadian Auto Workers is one of the largest unions in Canada and is now known as Unifor.

What about the issues that they fought for in CAW? Phoebe listed the following: fair and living wages, benefits, seniority rights, and job security to name a few. In 1999, she recalled that their local went on strike with the American company for the following reasons. The company did not want to give wage increases. The company also wanted to transfer to Mexico. She noted that, fortunately, through the union’s collective strength, they were able to maintain the jobs here in Winnipeg.

I also interviewed Susan Rodriguez, a long-time community activist and pioneer of KAMPI to share her thoughts on Phoebe as a person and migrant women/labour activist. She remembers Phoebe as regularly present at KAMPI’s events. She always attends even if she just commutes, regardless of the season. She is sincere and not materialistic. She regularly attends Labour Day, May Day rallies, and women’s events organized by Grassroots Women. Phoebe is consistent in her dedication to the working-class movement and maintains a simple life of sacrifices and steadfastness in principles.

Going back to my conversation with Phoebe, I inquired about the courses that she got from the CAW union. She shared some education programs like Health and Safety (40 hours), and an Aboriginal and Workers of Colour course (80 hours). For sure, she received much more training from the union that empowered workers.

These experiences that Phoebe De Leon went through as Chair of CAW Local 3000 and at the same time as a member of KAMPI surely shaped her consciousness, being compassionate to the working class struggles and the community in general. Critically aware of how social structures based on greed dehumanize and debase people, Phoebe understands that the struggle will be long drawn and that is why up to now she has been involved in unionism and helps with social advocacy, both here in Canada and the Philippines.

Levy Abad is the author of Rhythms and Resistance: Narrative of Filipino Musicians and Activists (1972-1994). He is also a singer-songwriter, poet, and migrant rights activist who has released four albums centred on the life and struggles of migrants.