By Philip Tubeza, Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:01:00 12/07/2010
MANILA, Philippines—The ground crew union of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it would take a strike vote today.
PAL management immediately denounced the move of the PAL Employees’ Association (PALEA) as “illegal,” saying that the mediation process was ongoing.
The PAL labor row has been taken over by Malacañang to avert an air transportation crisis.
PALEA has asked Malacañang to reconsider Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz’s decision allowing the outsourcing of certain PAL departments, which could affect some 2,600 employees. It has also denounced PAL management for allegedly talking to individual PALEA members about separation benefits, insisting that this constituted union busting.
Asked to comment on the strike vote, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Palace was reviewing Baldoz’s decision. “We do not want to take (the strike vote) as a sign that we are being threatened,” he said.
PALEA president Gerry Rivera said the move was “not meant to blackmail Malacañang” to favor their position. “But we are warning management of its illegal acts,” he added.
“If management does not desist from harassing PALEA members to avail of their separation offer, which is tantamount to individual bargaining and therefore illegal, then we will be forced to actually hold the strike,” Rivera warned.
He said the union leadership wanted to gauge the pulse of its members for a possible work stoppage “if needed.”
Meanwhile, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the company would contest PALEA’s call for a strike vote.
“We believe PALEA’s objective is to pressure Malacañang to rule in their favor and at the same time hold hostage thousands of Filipinos whose travel plans for the forthcoming holidays are already firmed up,” Villaluna said.
The airline assured its passengers that there would be no interruption in the company’s operations. With a report from Christine O. Avendano
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