Palace aware PAL woes beyond salaries of pilots

By Cathy C. Yamsuan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:33:00 08/04/2010

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang recognizes that the issues besetting Philippine Airlines go beyond the salaries of pilots who have flown the coop, so to speak.

However, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the government is not ready to take a more active role in resolving these and would rather watch as things unfold in the ongoing separate talks conducted by Palace officials with PAL management and the pilots.

In a news conference Wednesday, Lacierda noted that PAL's travails is “not only limited to the (pilots') resignations but is apparently a part of a deep-seated problem which has been festering, according to the pilots (themselves) ... Before our discussions with the pilots, we thought it was a simple problem but (it turns out that) the problem not that simple. There are other concerns other than salaries.”

Lacierda said that among the parties Palace officials have heard so far include the pilots who have resigned from PAL, their representatives who met with Palace officials in one meeting and “two pilots who are ... well versed with situation.”

Lacierda did not indicate whether the two pilots he referred to are working for PAL or are employed by another airline.

The Palace spokesperson said that all in all, the pilots bared problems “with their contracts, their working conditions and a whole lot of other reasons. These are same reasons why the 25 pilots resigned (in the first place). It's a problem that would have to be resolved by PAL management and the pilots.”

“We're getting more and more information on the conditions (within PAL) from both sides. For instance, (before talking with) the pilots, we thought it was just a simple case of leaving the company for higher pay in other places. But the problems go beyond that. And the PAL management also explained its side,” Lacierda said in Filipino.

“We are still hoping that this can be resolved. But we're gonna do it day by day. We cannot guarantee that we'll (resolve) it this week but we will exert all efforts to resolve this situation as soon as possible,” he added.

Lacierda said the PAL management made assurances to Malacanang that “the riding public has not been prejudiced so far because PAL already modified its flight schedules to accommodate the concerns of the riding public.”

Lacierda still would not discuss the possibility of a government takeover at this point.
“While it has been raised, it is not among the options being considered in the discussions that involved the Secretaries of Finance, Justice, Transportation and Tourism. The Executive Secretary was also there. We're looking at other options. A takeover is not among those being studied,” he said in Filipino.
Lacierda said the government would not put pressure on PAL management to raise the salaries of its pilots.

“That would depend on the decision of the PAL management. PAL insists that their rates are competitive in the region. That decision (to raise salaries) lies on the part of the PAL management,” he said.

Lacierda noted that on Tuesday, the pilots were a no-show and only their representatives appeared.
“The representatives said the pilots were afraid of repercussions from the PAL management. Notwithstanding that, we continued the discussion with the representatives who are knowledgable (of) the situation ... Allow me not to disclose (the issues) because they are part of the ongoing dialogue with PAL management,” he said.

Lacierda said another dialogue between the PAL management and the pilots who resigned was set Wednesday.

“Hopefully, it would push through although we are still confirming the availability of both camps,” Lacierda said around noontime.

He added that the government is also interested in seeking inputs from PAL flight attendants who have also indicated a plan to hold a strike.

“We hope to get in touch with the flight attendants. So far, what we know of their plans are those details announced by the media. As far as we know, they have not yet filed a labor complaint with (either) the (National Labor Relations Commission) or (Department of Labor and Employment),” Lacierda said.