Monday, 20 September 2010 14:32 Lenie Lectura / Reporter
BusinessMirror
THE Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Monday accused the flight service crew union of “forum shopping” in pursuit of “media mileage” after the employees filed another complaint with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
“It shows disrespect and a disturbing lack of confidence in the ongoing mediation hearings at the Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE],” the flag carrier statement said.
The Flight Attendants’ and Stewards’ Association of the Philippines (Fasap) had already alleged violations of workers’ rights ranging from maternity benefits, retirement age, and pay at the Labor department, which has primary jurisdiction, and according to the airline remains the proper venue to discuss and resolve them.
“By raising the same issues before the CHR, is Fasap-forum shopping to gain media mileage and public sympathy? We believe DOLE should take this matter seriously and put Fasap to task for making a mockery of a legitimate and on-going legal process,” said PAL.
In the meantime, the airline “hopes the CHR will allow the department to perform its functions in accordance with law. It also hopes the CHR will be fair and impartial in handling this case, especially since current CHR Chairman Loretta Ann Rosales has publicly taken a position on the PAL-Fasap issue even before she was appointed to head the commission.”
The airline said further that after President Aquino specifically ordered the Labor department to handle the labor dispute, “by using multiple venues, Fasap seems to be putting the President and the DOLE in a straightjacket. It wants to show that it can choose a forum where it hopes to get a favorable decision.” ?
“We maintain that in Philippine Airlines, no workers’ rights have been trampled upon. Whatever salaries and benefits Fasap members enjoy are all contained in the current collective bargaining agreement.”
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