PAL urges DOLE to avert strike
29-Sep-2010 Philippine Airlines (PAL) today (September 28, 2010) urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to take immediate steps to avert a planned strike by its flight attendants.
PAL made the appeal following the decision of its cabin crew union to withdraw from the conciliation talks and its announcement to proceed with its planned work stoppage.
"PAL would like to assure our passengers that a strike will not happen overnight. Management is asking DOLE to immediately step in to avert the strike and protect the interests of the riding public," PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.
"It was upon DOLE's recommendation that PAL and the Flight Attendants' and Stewards' Association of the Philippines (FASAP) agreed to a recess and to meet again next week. PAL management was surprised by FASAP's sudden turnaround by announcing their decision to strike," she stressed.
She said PAL has been negotiating in good faith and has bent backwards to accomodate some of the FASAP's demands. "It is the union that is playing hardball, dismissing outright management's offers without even a second glance," Villaluna said.
She explained that PAL's P105-million is hardly unreasonable considering the airline's staggering losses in the last two years. PAL, she added, even agreed to increase the retirement age to 45 from 40 if the union would allow junior cabin crew members to fly international along with their senior counterparts.
"Contrary to FASAP's claims, there will be no layoffs as a result of the mixed crew scheme. There will also be no reduction in flight assignments and pay of international cabin attendants. Why is FASAP so averse to the idea of their younger members earning a little more?" Villaluna asked.
She added that PAL's early retirement age is benchmarked to other carriers in the region. "PAL maintains that while the early retirement age is negotiable, it is by no means illegal nor immoral," she said.
As this developed, Villaluna said PAL is preparing emergency measures in case such a strike will occur. "PAL is hopeful that DOLE will immediately step in to avert any work stoppage that can wreak havoc to the economy," said Villaluna.
She added that from day one, FASAP has not shown any intention to consider anything short of their demands. "A negotiation is like a two-way street; it's give and take. It's very difficult to deal and negotiate with a party who only wants things to go their way," Villaluna stressed.