PAL assures uninterrupted service amid labor dispute

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:49:00 04/29/2010

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Airlines (PAL) has assured uninterrupted service in the transport of passengers, cargo, ballots and other election paraphernalia in the days leading to the national elections on May 10 amid an ongoing labor dispute.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has assumed jurisdiction over the dispute between the airline management and the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) to prevent both parties from taking drastic action that could lead to work disruption or stoppage.

In the order on April 23, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque urged the PAL and PALEA "to refrain from committing any act that might exacerbate the situation."

"Thus, PAL's scheduled spin-off and restructuring programs are on hold while the PALEA cannot engage in any mass action, work slowdown/stoppage or go on strike without violating the DOLE order," PAL said in a statement.

The airline’s management said the labor department is now on top of the situation.
PAL officials and PALEA will meet on Friday with the undersecretary for Labor Relations to discuss their differences over a planned restructuring program that could affect some 3,000 employees.
PAL said shipment of Comelec materials and paraphernalia to various domestic points is being given priority on all its flights. It said it has recently completed delivery of PCOS (precinct count optical scan) machines in Mindanao.