Business groups seek end to standoff between PAL, workers

Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 3, 2011
By: Daxim L. Lucas

Various business groups on Wednesday offered their support to beleaguered Philippine Airlines after it appealed to industry allies to help it fend off what it called “harassment” by dismissed workers and their allies.
In separate statements, heads of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (Ecop), the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI) and the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) appealed to the government to help end the standoff between the flag carrier and its critics.

“It will be difficult for Ecop and all employers to ignore the continuing travesty of justice being committed by (former employees) against PAL,” Ecop president Ed Lacson said.

Lacson said there was already a case pending before the Court of Appeals filed by the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (Palea) and that the union should observe the rule of law by allowing normal operations and refrain from disrupting the airline’s operations.

“Ecop recognizes the right of labor movements to strike as a tool to air grievances against management,” Lacson said. “But this right is not absolute and must be staged within the bounds prescribed by DoLE’s [Department of Labor and Employment] rules.”

PCCI president Francis Chua said his organization—the country’s largest with some 20,000 members—was backing the legitimate grievances of the business sector and industry like the need to be protected against the disruptive actions of laid-off employees or their allies from militant labor groups.

“We also look at the interest of the labor sector,” Chua said, appealing for sobriety between both sides. “Labor is the element in wealth formation. Industrial peace is the key to success in any business venture.”
The FFCCCI—the umbrella organization of Filipino-Chinese businesses in the country—also urged the government to act swiftly on the standoff between PAL and its former employees.

“We are requesting authorities to take a more direct hand in resolving the impasse before things get out of control,” FFCCCI president Tan Ching said in a statement. “The recent turn of events where former PAL workers resorted to harassment and intimidation tactics at their picket line impeded the airline’s operations.”
The group said businesses recognize workers’ right to air their grievances, but said it hopes employees are also aware that employers have rights, too.