PALEA welcomes Malacañang's decision on PAL labor row

December 16, 2010, 2:36pm
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines (PNA) — The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) welcomed the decision of Malacañang assuming jurisdiction over the labor dispute at the Philippine Airlines.
The union officials and members said the Palace decision would mean a merry Christmas for them this year, but added they are worried if they will have a joyous 2011.

“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) Baldoz is only temporary,” Gerry Rivera, PALEA president, said in statement.
The union leader was reacting on the assumption order of President Benigno S. Aquino III that stayed the decision of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz allowing the planned outsourcing and layoff of workers at PAL.

“Even as we thank P-Noy for the order suspending the mass layoff, this initial victory is possible only because of the militance of PAL employees and the unity of labor groups,” Rivera added.
The group filed a petition with the Office of the President (OP) last Nov. 12 but the formal assumption order took more than a month.

“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.

Earlier, PAL president Jaime Bautista said they will abide by Malacañang's order.
"PAL would like to reiterate that it has not in any way, shape or form implemented the spin-off of its three non-core businesses, as it is awaiting the result of the Palace review of the labor dispute," he said in a separate statement.

On Wednesday, Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr. deferred an earlier decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which allowed the airline’s reorganization plans.
A total of 2,600 employees will be affected by the outsourcing of the company’s catering, call center and airport services.