DoT keeps distance on PAL row

Manila Standard Today
December 15, 2010
by Eileen A. Mencias

SECRETARY Alberto Lim said on Tuesday the Tourism department is keeping its distance from the problems besetting Philippine Airlines.

“There’s nothing we can really do,” Lim said regarding the threat by PAL employees to stage a strike which could hurt the operations of the country’s biggest airline.

“It’s beyond our control...it’s really the private sector that will be affected by it, and (the labor case) is with the (departments of Labor and Transportation),” Lim added.

But the newly-confirmed tourism czar said he was still hopeful that the threatened strike does not push through.

“I hope they do not strike. I hope they come to terms,” he said.

Lim said PAL is already doing its own contingency planning, getting other caterers and linking up with other airlines to get their passengers booked in case the strike pushes through.

“PAL has to take care of its passengers. (But) it’s going to cost them a lot,” Lim said.
PAL earlier said it would implement a restructuring and spin-off program next year after more than 500 PAL union members signified their intention to accept management’s offer of separation pay, which would amount to nearly P1 million for each affected worker.

PAL president Jaime Bautista said the implementation of the mass layoff was based on DoLE’s decision affirming PAL’s prerogative to restructure.

In a statement, PAL said it was doing all it can to prevent any flight disruptions.

“In the unlikely event event of a work stoppage, PAL has the following contingency measures. Engageprofessional service providers, including inflight catering companies, to augment workers not joining the strike; deploy all available manpower and endorse affected passengers to our sister-airline AirPhilexpress, as well as 134 international airline partners,” PAL said.