Outsourcing ensures long-term survival — PAL

Manila Bulletin
October 1, 2011
By Samuel Medenilla

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Airlines (PAL) has to spin-off and implement outsourcing program to ensure its long-term survival in this stiff competitive industry and at the same time save jobs for its 5,000 workforce, President Jaime J. Bautista said Friday.

This business strategy is “well-within” the restructuring operations of PAL, said Bautista.

“The law is on our side. We’re implementing the outsourcing program not on mere whim or caprice but on the basis of legal and valid orders from the Department of Labor and Employment and the Office of the President. We’re doing it to save the airline from financial ruin,” he explained

Bautista said the issue should be taken on a wider perspective, noting that what is being highlighted is the loss of jobs for 2,400 members of the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) but conveniently turn a blind eye on the 5,000 office personnel, cabin crew and pilots that PAL is trying to save.

He said PAL is steadfast on its decision and determined to implement the spin-off/outsourcing program Saturday.

“The DoLE and the President have spoken; PALEA has filed their appeal with the appellate court. Let’s just wait for the CA’s action on this matter. We have nothing more to talk about. The time for diplomacy is long over, especially after the union’s wildcat strike,” he said.

“The time for negotiation has long passed. We invited PALEA to a dialogue after the Office of the President threw out their petition seeking to invalidate PAL’s outsourcing plan. PALEA members only have their intransigent leaders to blame for their current predicament,” he stressed.

PALEA president Gerardo Rivera, on the other hand, said protest will continue and in fact is “already spreading to the outlying stations” with rallies to held in Bacolod and Davao Friday and Cebu Saturday.