PAL asks labor department’s help to avert strike

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:45:00 09/29/2010

MANILA, Philippines—Amid threat of a strike by its cabin crew, the Philippine Airlines has asked the Department of Labor and Employment to step in and stop the looming work stoppage.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the flag carrier has been negotiating in good faith and was even about to accommodate some of the demands of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines.

"PAL management was surprised by FASAP's sudden turnaround by announcing their decision to strike," she said.

"It was upon DOLE's recommendation that PAL and FASAP agreed to a recess and to meet again next week," Villaluna said.

She said FASAP was playing "hardball," immediately dismissing PAL's offers.

"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 said.

The 1,600-strong FASAP earlier Wednesday said it would no longer engage in talks with PAL management, accusing it of repeatedly rejecting its demands.

"We don't see the point in attending the meetings anymore," union president Bob Anduiza told Agence France-Presse. "The management has maintained its hardline position and the mediation proceedings have failed."

The union this month warned government of its plan for a strike if its demands for higher wages and an end to the mandatory retirement age of 45 for cabin crew, which the union said was discriminatory.
Villaluna said that PAL's agreement to increase the retirement age from 40 to 45 years old was not illegal or immoral.

"PAL maintains that while the early retirement age is negotiable, it is by no means illegal nor immoral," Villaluna said.

She also said that there will be no layoffs under the proposed mixed crew scheme.

"Contrary to FASAP's claims, there will be no layoffs as a result of the mixed crew scheme. There will be no reduction in flight assignments and pay of international cabin attendants. Why is FASAP so adverse to the idea of their younger members earning a little more?" Villaluna asked.

At the same time, Villaluna urged FASAP to accept the P105-million offer of PAL. She said that the amount was not unreasonable based on the airline's losses over the last two years.

Nevertheless, Villaluna said PAL will ready emergency measures ahead of the planned strike.
"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 to protect the interests of the riding public," she added. With Agence France-Presse