Study your Options, PAL Workers Told

Manila Standard
Tuesday, September 15, 1998

Labor Secretary Bievenido Laguesma called on the rank-and-file union of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to carefully study its options in the proposed suspension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the next 10 years.

Though he welcomed the move of the PAL management transferring 20 percent of PAL’s equity to the union in exchange for the suspension for 10 years of its CBA, Laguesma said the PAL Employees’ Association (PALEA) should consider the implications of the provisions laid before them.

In an interview, Laguesma said members of the union should be given a chance to say their piece on the pro¬posals raised by the management be¬fore it can be finalized.

The labor chief stressed that workers should scrutinize the management offer, particularly the component on labor concerns for their own welfare.

"Whatever animosities prevailing between the management and the unions have to give way to solve the problem,” he said.

Laguesma also lauded the management for its efforts to thresh out differences with PALEA admitting that some may not look at it positively.

The labor secretary also reminded workers not only to look at the provisions directly involving them but the financial capability of the company in maintaining its current operations. Angie Rosales