Palace wary of PAL row reaching ILO

Business
04/03/2011 | 02:17 PM

(Updated 9:07 p.m.) Wary of the labor row between flag carrier Philippine Airlines and its ground crew union reaching an international forum, Malacañang appealed to both sides Sunday to abide by the compulsory mediation ordered by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said that while it is the union's right to take the case to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Palace is hoping the issue can be resolved at the level of the compulsory mediation.

"Karapatan nila 'yan but again sa atin we hope maresolba kahit mukha talagang nagkakagirian ang dalawang grupo. Sana magkaroon rin ng magandang resolution sa compulsory mediation," she said on government-run radio dzRB when asked about the PAL Employees' Association's (PALEA) plan to take the case to the ILO.

(It is the union's right, but from our end, we hope the case can be resolved despite the clash of the two sides. We can only hope for a resolution through compulsory mediation.)

Last weekend, PALEA said it may take the case to the ILO as it accused the government of siding with PAL management.

PALEA also said it is ready to defy DOLE's order for compulsory mediation, which effectively puts on hold PALEA's plan to stage a strike.

Malacañang on Saturday said PALEA may face legal action if it pushes through with its strike.

"Dahil naglabas ng certification order si (DOLE Secretary Rosalinda) Baldoz, hindi puwedeng mag-strike pag na-submit for compulsory mediation ang isang kaso. Magiging illegal ang strike nila kung pilit nila gawin yan," Valte said.

(Since Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz issued a certification order, no strike can push through in a case that is undergoing compulsory mediation. Such a strike will be deemed illegal.)

"Umaasa tayo sana may magandang resolution ang compulsory mediation (For now we can only hope the compulsory mediation will lead to a positive solution)," she added.

PAL to abide by DOLE order

PAL president Jaime Bautista, for his part, said the airline will "respect and abide by" DOLE’s order, while warning PALEA against any “illegal action."

“PAL will follow the DOLE order, but any illegal action of the PALEA to disrupt airline operations will not be treated lightly," he said in a statement Sunday.

He added that the PAL management was informed of the compulsory mediation on Friday night, and is still awaiting a copy of the order.

The flag carrier’s labor union earlier warned that it will proceed with its planned strike despite the DOLE’s postponement order, pending the resolving of the matter through labor dispute settlement before the National Labor Relations Commission.

Bautista however maintained that PALEA’s plan for a work stoppage will not cripple the airline’s operations.

“We are ready for any PALEA action because not only do we have contingency measures in place, we also have the commitment of many ground workers that they will not join the strike," he said.

He likewise urged the protesting workers to respect the government orders and not resort to “scare tactics." — with Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK/VS, GMA News