Business World
FLAG CARRIER Philippine Airlines (PAL) has resumed cargo operations in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 after work was suspended last Sept. 27 due to a labor strike, it said in a statement yesterday.
PAL said it resumed cargo services in that terminal on Saturday for domestic and international destinations.
“The resumption of cargo service is a boon to freight forwarders and exporters who benefit from the flag carrier’s high-capacity, wide-body aircraft and extensive domestic and international network,” Jaime J. Bautista, PAL president, said in the statement.
“[The] suspension of cargo operations… critically affected the shipment and export of perishable goods, farm produce and other vital products.”
This was after several members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) stopped work to protest an outsourcing program that would lay off 2,600 ground crew.
The outsourcing plan, originally planned for Oct. 1, was implemented three days earlier due to the labor union’s protest. PAL relied on a mix of management volunteers and outsourced workers to run the airport operations in place of the terminated employees.
In a separate statement yesterday, PALEA said that it will not stop its protest against the flag carrier’s outsourcing program. -- Kathleen A. Martin
