Philippine Daily Inquirer
Business
By the Staff
First Posted 21:12:00 03/29/2011
Missed opportunity
MEMBERS of Philippine Airlines’ cabin crew may have missed out on a chance to serve the country’s OFWs. Biz Buzz learned that during the recent repatriation of Libya-based workers, PAL deployed as crew members several line administrators and inflight trainors for their 27-hour rescue flights to and from Greece. The reason: management was concerned that regular cabin crew may suddenly disembark and leave passengers on board should they exceed—even by a fraction of an hour—their union-mandated tours of duty.
In recent months, many passengers were driven up the wall by cancellations caused by cabin crews refusing to serve on flights due to a union campaign for strict collective bargaining agreement compliance. Were they part of the crews’ adherence to the CBA provisions or an attempt to spite management? Hmmm.
The crews’ grievances notwithstanding, some passengers (who feel shortchanged) say cabin crews—like pilots—have an obligation to the riding public. They say pilots’ and crew members’ acts to spite the airline’s management do a great disservice to the passengers who, ultimately, pay for their salaries.—Daxim L. Lucas
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Planes will fly, PAL assures public
Philippine Daily Inquirer
March 29, 2011
By Philip C. Tubeza
MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Airlines (PAL) Monday assured the public that contingency measures were in place to “keep its airplanes flying” should its ground crew union go on strike.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said flights would continue “on schedule” while all ticket, sales and airport offices would remain open even if the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) goes on strike.
“Our interline airline partners as well as augmentation forces from management are on standby to ensure that our operations are not disrupted in case PALEA members walk out,” Villaluna said in a statement.
She said that PALEA represented only a fraction of PAL’s 7,000-strong work force. The union had said that it could go on strike as early as April 2.
Villaluna warned that a strike, if declared illegal by the authorities, could lead to the forfeiture of the striking workers’ benefits, “including those ordered by the Office of the President.”
PAL issued the warning as it submitted Monday its counter-proposal—which included a wage increase—to a three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with PALEA.
“In good faith, PAL management fulfilled its commitment to submit today a counter-proposal, proof of management’s sincerity and willingness to open negotiations with PALEA,” said Jose S.L. Uybarreta, PAL vice president for human resources.
“The amounts of P750 for the 1st year, P1,500 for the 2nd year and another P1,500 for the 3rd year are what management believes the company can afford at this time, given the string of massive losses suffered by PAL since 2008,” he said, referring to a pay hike for the workers.
On Friday, Malacañang upheld the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) allowing PAL to outsource three non-core units.
The national flag carrier noted that it was PALEA that had sought the President’s intervention, “and when the decision did not favor them, the union rejects the decision even the additional benefits granted to them.”
Earlier, PAL president Jaime J. Bautista said the outcome of Malacañang’s mediation in the spin-off issue “has a material impact on the next PAL-PALEA CBA.”
In an indignation rally on Mendiola Monday, PALEA members lambasted President Benigno Aquino III and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa for the Palace decision to uphold the PAL outsourcing plan, saying that it would lead to the mass layoff of 2,600 PAL employees.
“In the decision that he penned, Ochoa exposed who the real boss of this government is. It is (PAL owner) Lucio Tan, not the Filipino people. This decision ends the myth of P-Noy’s ‘Kayo ang boss ko’ slogan,” said Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
Rivera said some 200 PALEA members and supporters from PM and the anti-contractualization coalition Kontra assembled at Morayta in Manila and then marched on Mendiola.
They carried placards and streamers saying “Lucio Tan: No. 2 richest Filipino, No. 1 workers’ enemy,” “Sa desisyon ng Malacañang, may bagong mansion ba si Ochoa? (With Malacanang’s decision, will Ochoa have a new mansion)” and “Si Lucio Tan ang boss ko–P-noy (Lucio Tan is my boss–P-noy).”
PALEA said it had started the countdown to its first nationwide strike since the crippling 1998 PAL work stoppage.
The ban on a strike at PAL ends on April 1, seven days after PALEA submitted the results of the strike vote. An overwhelming 95 percent of PALEA members who participated in the strike poll voted yes compared to the 86 percent yes in the strike vote conducted last December.
“In drafting the decision as the little president, Ochoa undermined the Constitution, ILO conventions and the PAL-PALEA CBA which all guaranteed job security and the right to bargain of workers,” Rivera said.
“In the decision, Ochoa found utterly nothing wrong in PAL’s contractualization scheme and he turned a blind eye to all the evidence on PAL’s profitable operations. We will not be surprised if a second glass mansion is the reason behind this decision,” he added. Philip C. Tubeza
March 29, 2011
By Philip C. Tubeza
MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Airlines (PAL) Monday assured the public that contingency measures were in place to “keep its airplanes flying” should its ground crew union go on strike.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said flights would continue “on schedule” while all ticket, sales and airport offices would remain open even if the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) goes on strike.
“Our interline airline partners as well as augmentation forces from management are on standby to ensure that our operations are not disrupted in case PALEA members walk out,” Villaluna said in a statement.
She said that PALEA represented only a fraction of PAL’s 7,000-strong work force. The union had said that it could go on strike as early as April 2.
Villaluna warned that a strike, if declared illegal by the authorities, could lead to the forfeiture of the striking workers’ benefits, “including those ordered by the Office of the President.”
PAL issued the warning as it submitted Monday its counter-proposal—which included a wage increase—to a three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with PALEA.
“In good faith, PAL management fulfilled its commitment to submit today a counter-proposal, proof of management’s sincerity and willingness to open negotiations with PALEA,” said Jose S.L. Uybarreta, PAL vice president for human resources.
“The amounts of P750 for the 1st year, P1,500 for the 2nd year and another P1,500 for the 3rd year are what management believes the company can afford at this time, given the string of massive losses suffered by PAL since 2008,” he said, referring to a pay hike for the workers.
On Friday, Malacañang upheld the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) allowing PAL to outsource three non-core units.
The national flag carrier noted that it was PALEA that had sought the President’s intervention, “and when the decision did not favor them, the union rejects the decision even the additional benefits granted to them.”
Earlier, PAL president Jaime J. Bautista said the outcome of Malacañang’s mediation in the spin-off issue “has a material impact on the next PAL-PALEA CBA.”
In an indignation rally on Mendiola Monday, PALEA members lambasted President Benigno Aquino III and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa for the Palace decision to uphold the PAL outsourcing plan, saying that it would lead to the mass layoff of 2,600 PAL employees.
“In the decision that he penned, Ochoa exposed who the real boss of this government is. It is (PAL owner) Lucio Tan, not the Filipino people. This decision ends the myth of P-Noy’s ‘Kayo ang boss ko’ slogan,” said Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
Rivera said some 200 PALEA members and supporters from PM and the anti-contractualization coalition Kontra assembled at Morayta in Manila and then marched on Mendiola.
They carried placards and streamers saying “Lucio Tan: No. 2 richest Filipino, No. 1 workers’ enemy,” “Sa desisyon ng Malacañang, may bagong mansion ba si Ochoa? (With Malacanang’s decision, will Ochoa have a new mansion)” and “Si Lucio Tan ang boss ko–P-noy (Lucio Tan is my boss–P-noy).”
PALEA said it had started the countdown to its first nationwide strike since the crippling 1998 PAL work stoppage.
The ban on a strike at PAL ends on April 1, seven days after PALEA submitted the results of the strike vote. An overwhelming 95 percent of PALEA members who participated in the strike poll voted yes compared to the 86 percent yes in the strike vote conducted last December.
“In drafting the decision as the little president, Ochoa undermined the Constitution, ILO conventions and the PAL-PALEA CBA which all guaranteed job security and the right to bargain of workers,” Rivera said.
“In the decision, Ochoa found utterly nothing wrong in PAL’s contractualization scheme and he turned a blind eye to all the evidence on PAL’s profitable operations. We will not be surprised if a second glass mansion is the reason behind this decision,” he added. Philip C. Tubeza
On eve of strike, PAL says will keep flying
Business Mirror
March 29, 2011
By S. Fabunan, E. Torres
IN a bid to prevent a possible work stoppage and make sure Philippine Airlines (PAL) operations remain continuous, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Monday called the flag carrier’s management and its union leaders to a crucial make-or-break meeting. She has not yet, however, set the date of the meeting, seen as a last-ditch effort to forestall a strike, which the union said on Monday would most likely start on April 2 .
“I am calling on both parties to a conference for possible settlement. We will exhaust all options to settle the issue,” said Baldoz.
Meantime, PAL assured air travelers on Monday they have contingency measures to keep their airplanes flying in case the PAL Employees Association (Palea) goes on strike.
PAL said it will follow published schedules and all ticket offices, and that sales and airport facilities in Metro Manila, and the provinces, and stations abroad will maintain regular business operations.
“Our interline airline-partners, as well as augmentation forces from management, are on standby to ensure that our operations are not disrupted in case Palea members walk out,” said Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesman.
She added that ground workers represent only a fraction of the company’s 7,000-strong work force.
PAL also submitted on Monday its counterproposal consisting of salary increases for the three years of a three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that is in a stalemate and a cause of the labor unrest.
“In good faith, PAL management fulfilled its commitment to submit today a counterproposal, proof of management’s sincerity and willingness to open negotiations with Palea,” said Jose S.L. Uybarreta, vice president for human resources.
“The amounts of P750 for the first year, P1,500 for the second year and another P1,500 for the third year—are what management believes the company can afford at this time, given the string of massive losses suffered by PAL since 2008,” he said.
On Friday Malacañang upheld the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recognizing the legality of PAL’s spinoff of three noncore units.
PAL said it was Palea who sought the President’s intervention and when the decision did not favor them, the union rejected the decision and even the additional benefits granted them.
Earlier, PAL president Jaime J. Bautista said the outcome of Malacañang’s mediation over the spinoff issue has a material impact on the next CBA. He said union leaders should give Malacañang due respect when it finally resolved the spinoff issue.
Questioning the basis and validity of Palea’s recent strike vote, PAL also maintained that there was no reason for the holding of the referendum given management’s willingness to open CBA negotiations.
Earlier, Palea claimed management refused to negotiate a new CBA.
Under the Labor Code, the secretary of Labor has the power to assume jurisdiction over a labor dispute or issue a return-to-work order in cases of labor disputes imbued with national consequence.
Those who refused to heed the DOLE return-to-work orders, like the PAL pilots in 1998, were terminated by operation of the law and were unable to avail themselves of separation and/or retirement benefits.
Restive PAL employees, meanwhile, condemned the Palace decision to allow the mass layoff of around 2,600 employees after they resorted to Palace intervention in the planned spinoff of three work units of the airlines.
Gerry Rivera, Palea president, said the decision of the Office of the President written by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa violated the Constitution, conventions of the International Labor Organization and the CBA between PAL employees and management that guarantees workers’ right to job security and right to bargain.
Rivera reiterated they are readying a nationwide strike to oppose the decision of Malacañang allowing the mass layoff. He said the ban on strikes at PAL ends on April 1. At least 95 percent of the Palea members voted yes in the strike poll compared with the 86-percent yes in the strike vote in December last year.
He said the Palace’s decision siding with management runs counter to President Aquino’s campaign slogan “Kayo ang boss ko.”
“In the conflict between the second-richest Filipino and thousands of PAL workers, P-Noy chose to side with the capitalist rather the workers,” said Rivera. “For President Aquino, it is okay for PAL to retrench 2,600 workers at a time when the company will earn $1.6 billion in annual profit and when thousands of OFWs are returning home to escape unrest and disaster abroad. What is this government’s employment policy? Demolish all the regular jobs and turn workers into contractuals!”
He said PAL employees will hold a big rally on Friday in Malacañang and parallel protest actions in the airports of Cebu, Davao, Bacolod and General Santos City. --S. Fabunan, E. Torres
March 29, 2011
By S. Fabunan, E. Torres
IN a bid to prevent a possible work stoppage and make sure Philippine Airlines (PAL) operations remain continuous, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Monday called the flag carrier’s management and its union leaders to a crucial make-or-break meeting. She has not yet, however, set the date of the meeting, seen as a last-ditch effort to forestall a strike, which the union said on Monday would most likely start on April 2 .
“I am calling on both parties to a conference for possible settlement. We will exhaust all options to settle the issue,” said Baldoz.
Meantime, PAL assured air travelers on Monday they have contingency measures to keep their airplanes flying in case the PAL Employees Association (Palea) goes on strike.
PAL said it will follow published schedules and all ticket offices, and that sales and airport facilities in Metro Manila, and the provinces, and stations abroad will maintain regular business operations.
“Our interline airline-partners, as well as augmentation forces from management, are on standby to ensure that our operations are not disrupted in case Palea members walk out,” said Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesman.
She added that ground workers represent only a fraction of the company’s 7,000-strong work force.
PAL also submitted on Monday its counterproposal consisting of salary increases for the three years of a three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that is in a stalemate and a cause of the labor unrest.
“In good faith, PAL management fulfilled its commitment to submit today a counterproposal, proof of management’s sincerity and willingness to open negotiations with Palea,” said Jose S.L. Uybarreta, vice president for human resources.
“The amounts of P750 for the first year, P1,500 for the second year and another P1,500 for the third year—are what management believes the company can afford at this time, given the string of massive losses suffered by PAL since 2008,” he said.
On Friday Malacañang upheld the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recognizing the legality of PAL’s spinoff of three noncore units.
PAL said it was Palea who sought the President’s intervention and when the decision did not favor them, the union rejected the decision and even the additional benefits granted them.
Earlier, PAL president Jaime J. Bautista said the outcome of Malacañang’s mediation over the spinoff issue has a material impact on the next CBA. He said union leaders should give Malacañang due respect when it finally resolved the spinoff issue.
Questioning the basis and validity of Palea’s recent strike vote, PAL also maintained that there was no reason for the holding of the referendum given management’s willingness to open CBA negotiations.
Earlier, Palea claimed management refused to negotiate a new CBA.
Under the Labor Code, the secretary of Labor has the power to assume jurisdiction over a labor dispute or issue a return-to-work order in cases of labor disputes imbued with national consequence.
Those who refused to heed the DOLE return-to-work orders, like the PAL pilots in 1998, were terminated by operation of the law and were unable to avail themselves of separation and/or retirement benefits.
Restive PAL employees, meanwhile, condemned the Palace decision to allow the mass layoff of around 2,600 employees after they resorted to Palace intervention in the planned spinoff of three work units of the airlines.
Gerry Rivera, Palea president, said the decision of the Office of the President written by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa violated the Constitution, conventions of the International Labor Organization and the CBA between PAL employees and management that guarantees workers’ right to job security and right to bargain.
Rivera reiterated they are readying a nationwide strike to oppose the decision of Malacañang allowing the mass layoff. He said the ban on strikes at PAL ends on April 1. At least 95 percent of the Palea members voted yes in the strike poll compared with the 86-percent yes in the strike vote in December last year.
He said the Palace’s decision siding with management runs counter to President Aquino’s campaign slogan “Kayo ang boss ko.”
“In the conflict between the second-richest Filipino and thousands of PAL workers, P-Noy chose to side with the capitalist rather the workers,” said Rivera. “For President Aquino, it is okay for PAL to retrench 2,600 workers at a time when the company will earn $1.6 billion in annual profit and when thousands of OFWs are returning home to escape unrest and disaster abroad. What is this government’s employment policy? Demolish all the regular jobs and turn workers into contractuals!”
He said PAL employees will hold a big rally on Friday in Malacañang and parallel protest actions in the airports of Cebu, Davao, Bacolod and General Santos City. --S. Fabunan, E. Torres
PAL assures public flights normal
The Philippine Star
March 29, 2011
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) assured its passengers and customers yesterday that contingency measures are in place to keep its airplanes flying in case members of the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) stage an illegal strike.
PAL stressed its flights will continue to be operated according to published schedules, while all ticket offices and other sales and airport facilities in Metro Manila, the provinces and stations abroad will maintain regular business operations.
“Our interline airline-partners as well as augmentation forces from management are on standby to ensure that our operations are not disrupted in case PALEA members walk out,” said Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesperson. She stressed that ground workers represents only a fraction of PAL’s 7,000-strong workforce.
The company said that a strike, if declared illegal by proper authorities, could lead to the forfeiture of striking workers’ benefits, including those ordered by the Office of the President.
Meanwhile, PAL submitted its counter-proposal consisting of salary increases for the first three years of a three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to be negotiated by PAL with PALEA.
“In good faith, PAL management fulfilled its commitment to submit today a counter-proposal, proof of management’s sincerity and willingness to open negotiations with PALEA,” said Jose S.L. Uybarreta, PAL vice president for Human Resources.
“The amounts of P750 for the first year, P1,500 for the second year and another P1,500 for the third year are what management believes the company can afford at this time, given the string of massive losses suffered by PAL since 2008,” he said.
Last Friday, Malacañang upheld the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) upholding the legality of PAL’s spin-off of three non-core units.
PAL stressed that it was PALEA who sought the President’s intervention and when the decision did not favor them, the union rejected the decision, even the additional benefits granted to them.
Earlier, PAL president Jaime Bautista said the outcome of Malacañang’s mediation over the spin-off issue has a material impact on the next PAL-PALEA CBA. He said PALEA leaders should give Malacañang due respect when it finally resolved the spin-off issue.
Questioning the basis and validity of PALEA’s recent strike vote, PAL also maintained that there was no reason for the holding of the referendum given management’s willingness to open CBA negotiations.
March 29, 2011
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) assured its passengers and customers yesterday that contingency measures are in place to keep its airplanes flying in case members of the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) stage an illegal strike.
PAL stressed its flights will continue to be operated according to published schedules, while all ticket offices and other sales and airport facilities in Metro Manila, the provinces and stations abroad will maintain regular business operations.
“Our interline airline-partners as well as augmentation forces from management are on standby to ensure that our operations are not disrupted in case PALEA members walk out,” said Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesperson. She stressed that ground workers represents only a fraction of PAL’s 7,000-strong workforce.
The company said that a strike, if declared illegal by proper authorities, could lead to the forfeiture of striking workers’ benefits, including those ordered by the Office of the President.
Meanwhile, PAL submitted its counter-proposal consisting of salary increases for the first three years of a three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to be negotiated by PAL with PALEA.
“In good faith, PAL management fulfilled its commitment to submit today a counter-proposal, proof of management’s sincerity and willingness to open negotiations with PALEA,” said Jose S.L. Uybarreta, PAL vice president for Human Resources.
“The amounts of P750 for the first year, P1,500 for the second year and another P1,500 for the third year are what management believes the company can afford at this time, given the string of massive losses suffered by PAL since 2008,” he said.
Last Friday, Malacañang upheld the decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) upholding the legality of PAL’s spin-off of three non-core units.
PAL stressed that it was PALEA who sought the President’s intervention and when the decision did not favor them, the union rejected the decision, even the additional benefits granted to them.
Earlier, PAL president Jaime Bautista said the outcome of Malacañang’s mediation over the spin-off issue has a material impact on the next PAL-PALEA CBA. He said PALEA leaders should give Malacañang due respect when it finally resolved the spin-off issue.
Questioning the basis and validity of PALEA’s recent strike vote, PAL also maintained that there was no reason for the holding of the referendum given management’s willingness to open CBA negotiations.
PAL assures normal operations, submits counter proposal
The Philippine Star
March 29, 2011
By Mayen Jaymalin
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) assured yesterday contingency measures are in place to keep the airline flying even if some employees push through with their planned strike.
PAL gave the assurance after submitting to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) a proposed salary increase for members of the PAL Employees Association (PALEA).
Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesperson, said all flights will continue as scheduled while all ticket offices and other sales and airport facilities in Metro Manila, the provinces and stations abroad will maintain regular business operations.
“Our interline airline-partners as well as augmentation forces from management are on standby to ensure that our operations are not disrupted in case PALEA members walk out,” Villaluna said while noting that ground workers represent only a fraction of PAL’s 7,000-strong workforce.
At the same time, Villaluna reported that PAL already submitted to the DOLE’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) counter-proposal consisting of salary increases for the first three years.
“PAL management fulfilled its commitment to submit today a counter-proposal, proof of management’s sincerity and willingness to open negotiations with PALEA,” said Jose S.L. Uybarreta, PAL vice president for human resources.
“The amounts of P750 for the first year, P1,500 for the second year and another P1,500 for the third year – are what management believes the company can afford at this time, given the string of massive losses suffered by PAL since 2008,” he said.
Last Friday, Malacañang upheld a previous DOLE decision allowing PAL’s planned spin-off of three non-core units.
March 29, 2011
By Mayen Jaymalin
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) assured yesterday contingency measures are in place to keep the airline flying even if some employees push through with their planned strike.
PAL gave the assurance after submitting to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) a proposed salary increase for members of the PAL Employees Association (PALEA).
Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesperson, said all flights will continue as scheduled while all ticket offices and other sales and airport facilities in Metro Manila, the provinces and stations abroad will maintain regular business operations.
“Our interline airline-partners as well as augmentation forces from management are on standby to ensure that our operations are not disrupted in case PALEA members walk out,” Villaluna said while noting that ground workers represent only a fraction of PAL’s 7,000-strong workforce.
At the same time, Villaluna reported that PAL already submitted to the DOLE’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) counter-proposal consisting of salary increases for the first three years.
“PAL management fulfilled its commitment to submit today a counter-proposal, proof of management’s sincerity and willingness to open negotiations with PALEA,” said Jose S.L. Uybarreta, PAL vice president for human resources.
“The amounts of P750 for the first year, P1,500 for the second year and another P1,500 for the third year – are what management believes the company can afford at this time, given the string of massive losses suffered by PAL since 2008,” he said.
Last Friday, Malacañang upheld a previous DOLE decision allowing PAL’s planned spin-off of three non-core units.
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