Loading

‘Delaying tactics’, PAL says of PALEA strike notice

Direct News Source

06-Nov-2010 Philippine Airlines (PAL) considers the second Notice of Strike (NOS) filed by the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) Friday (Nov. 5, 2010) as nothing but a union strategy to delay implementation of the flag carrier’s spin-off program that had already been recognized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as a valid and legal exercise of management prerogative.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the airline's legal department will be responding to PALEA's allegations in the NOS in the proper legal forum. "There is no reason for our passengers to be alarmed. A strike is not likely to happen anytime soon as the DOLE views PAL's continued operations as imbued with national interest," she stressed.

Villaluna added that management finds no basis for the reasons cited by PALEA in the NOS, "We categorically deny 'directly negotiating' with union members, as claimed by PALEA, inasmuch as management regularly conducts consultative talks only with PALEA officials and not with the members."

PAL cannot also be said to be terminating PALEA members. The DOLE Order will become final and executory on November 9 or 10 days after it was received by both parties last October 29.

"Management is still conducting preparatory works, including seeking financing for the P2.5-billion severance package, before implementing the spin off," said Villaluna.

PAL believes PALEA is using the NOS to thwart implementation of the spin off program and deny its members a financial windfall in separation benefits. By delaying the implementation of the spin off, processing and grant of the separation pay and other benefits in time for the holidays may have to be discontinued.

PAL's Human Resources Department has started computing individual separation pays of affected employees upon request in anticipation of a long queue of those availing of the package this Christmas.

A growing number of PAL staff belonging to PAL Employees Association (PALEA) have been discreetly calling or emailing HRD's Employee Benefits & Services division to ask for an exact computation of their total separation pay based on the increased benefits package approved by DOLE.

During a media briefing, PAL President Jaime J. Bautista announced that PALEA members to be affected by the ruling may get an average of P1 million as part of their severance package.

PALEA filed a Notice of Strike on January 28, 2010 when it first learned of the spin off program. On April 23, 2010, DOLE assumed jurisdiction over the dispute and issued an Order on Oct. 29, 2010 upholding legality of the spin off.