PAL workers see joyous Christmas

By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) Updated December 17, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) employees are now looking forward to a joyous Christmas with Malacañang’s decision to defer the planned mass layoff of 2,600 airline employees.
“PAL employees will have a merry Christmas since no retrenchment will happen this holiday season. Although it is not yet sure if we will have a happy new year because the suspension of the ruling of (Labor Secretary Rosalinda) Baldoz is only temporary,” PAL Employees Association (PALEA) president Gerry Rivera said.

But after the holiday season, Rivera said work stoppage could still be an option for PALEA members.
Rivera explained that while the planned strike by PALEA has also been stopped by the assumption order from the Office of the President, the legal requirements have been complied with and so it remains an option for the union should the labor dispute remain unresolved.

Earlier, President Aquino assumed jurisdiction over the labor dispute and restrained PAL management from implementing the order of the labor department allowing the planned mass retrenchment of workers.

“PALEA calls on its members and its supporters from the labor movement to remain vigilant. We have won a battle but we have not yet won the war. For more than a year already we have stopped PAL from implementing its planned outsourcing. But next year we will wage the mother of all battles to finally defeat PAL’s contractualization scheme,” Rivera said in a statement.

PAL said they would respect Malacañang’s assumption order which also effectively stopped PAL union’s strike plans.

PAL president Jaime Bautista said the flag carrier would abide by the Palace order as it has always done in the past.

Bautista said the Palace order was most timely since it comes at the height of the Christmas rush, when travelers have firmed up their travel plans and are eager to spend the holidays with their loved ones.