Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 1, 2011
By Christine O. Avendaño, Daxim L. Lucas
Malacañang on Monday said it would investigate the recent attack by goons on protesting former workers of Philippine Airlines in Pasay City, while calling on both management and the union to “exercise sobriety.”
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte called on PAL management and the PAL Employees Association (Palea) to deal with each other with sobriety following the Oct. 29 attack that injured eight union members and resulted in the death of a bystander who got caught in the melee.
Valte called the attack “deplorable and unfortunate” and said the Palace expected a “fair and thorough investigation.”
“While we understand that emotions are running high, we call on both PAL and Palea to exercise sobriety in their dealings with each other,” Valte said in a statement.
She said the Palace was monitoring the situation through a team deployed by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz to the area.
Palea members have accused PAL management of being behind the attack on their protest camp by about 50 men, but the airline denied any involvement.
The union workers were separated from the airline on Oct. 1 as part of the airlines’ outsourcing program.
Asked if the Palace should intervene following the incident, Valte said the Office of the President had already decided to uphold the outsourcing program of PAL and that the union members had already moved to question the program (in the Court of Appeals).
PAL management yesterday hit back at its former employees for “hastily laying the blame on the airline management” for last Saturday’s confrontation at the PAL Inflight Center (IFC) in Pasay City.
In particular, PAL singled out “left-leaning sectoral representatives” who had accused the airline’s management of “harassing laid-off workers.”
“Those who know nothing better than to make wild and baseless accusations against the airline should shut up and let the police do the investigative work,” PAL said in a statement.
PAL management claimed the workers were stopping their catering trucks from entering and leaving the inflight center.
PAL lamented the absence of police at the protest site, especially when one of the company’s trucks was blocked by the protesters, but who “conveniently arrested” someone who claimed to have been hired by PAL management to disperse its former employees’ camp.
“Worse, authorities were reportedly unable to apprehend those responsible for the death of a hapless bystander,” PAL said.
As for the stench reportedly emanating from its inflight center, PAL said the protesting former PAL workers had only themselves to blame for the problem.
“They won’t allow our trucks to leave the facility. Even a garbage truck from Pasay City’s waste management office was prevented by protesters from picking up garbage unless these were brought to the IFC gate,” the airline said. “And now they complain that the area stinks? Let them have a dose of their own medicine.”
The airline also responded to accusations that it had refused to provide protesting former workers with free tickets, saying that “PAL reserves the right to refuse conveyance to those who make false and malicious claims that the airline is unsafe, and whose ultimate goal is to bring down the company.”
Meanwhile, the airline said that its staffers based in its North America regional office in San Francisco had denounced the picket staged on Oct. 27 by American unionists in the Bay Area in support of dismissed PAL workers in Manila.
According to the PAL statement, the San Francisco-based PAL union members expressed collective support for the airline’s efforts at normalizing operations after the implementation of its outsourcing program on Oct. 1.
In a signed manifesto, 10 US-based PAL unionists rejected calls to join the Oct. 27 picket held in front of the Philippine consulate led by members of the Burlingame, California-based International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
“We do not approve of such a demonstration and refuse to participate,” union steward Danilo Mirabucao was quoted as saying in reply to the group’s invitation letter. “In these hard and difficult economic times, let us not aggravate the situation with noisy and disruptive demonstrations.”
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Tuesday, November 1, 2011
PAL seeks allies to flight 'harassment'
By Philippine Airlines
November 1, 2011
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) today (01 November 2011) said it would seek help from the country’s leading business organizations to press government for quicker and more decisive response against harassment of private enterprises.
In a statement, PAL said it is calling on business groups like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCI) and others to collectively appeal for better protection of businesses which are prevented from freely pursuing their trade.
PAL said it is in the best interest of all private businesses, big or small, to protect themselves against harassment like illegal blockades by former workers who have been validly and legally dismissed.
“The recent incident where PAL’s catering truck was blocked by protesting former workers armed with truncheons and planks with nails is one clear example of this kind of harassment seemingly tolerated by police authorities,” the airline stressed.
PAL expressed frustration that it has complained and sought the help of almost all relevant government agencies “to no avail”. Todate, it said the airline continues to suffer since its service providers and cabin crew are unable to use PAL’s facility along MIA Road, Pasay City where laid off workers have set up camp.
“Continuing police inaction against all forms of harassment perpetrated by dismissed workers only served to embolden these illegal occupants of PAL’s property,” it stressed.
Worse, the airline said it is now even on the receiving end of baseless and malicious accusations by these workers that it engaged outside elements to disperse their camp.
Leftist sectoral representatives have also been directly accusing PAL of harassing former workers while turning a blind eye on their documented transgressions. PAL added that it is being threatened with another congressional probe with no clear legislative intent and with only the plain objective of embarrassing PAL resource persons in attendance.
November 1, 2011
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) today (01 November 2011) said it would seek help from the country’s leading business organizations to press government for quicker and more decisive response against harassment of private enterprises.
In a statement, PAL said it is calling on business groups like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCI) and others to collectively appeal for better protection of businesses which are prevented from freely pursuing their trade.
PAL said it is in the best interest of all private businesses, big or small, to protect themselves against harassment like illegal blockades by former workers who have been validly and legally dismissed.
“The recent incident where PAL’s catering truck was blocked by protesting former workers armed with truncheons and planks with nails is one clear example of this kind of harassment seemingly tolerated by police authorities,” the airline stressed.
PAL expressed frustration that it has complained and sought the help of almost all relevant government agencies “to no avail”. Todate, it said the airline continues to suffer since its service providers and cabin crew are unable to use PAL’s facility along MIA Road, Pasay City where laid off workers have set up camp.
“Continuing police inaction against all forms of harassment perpetrated by dismissed workers only served to embolden these illegal occupants of PAL’s property,” it stressed.
Worse, the airline said it is now even on the receiving end of baseless and malicious accusations by these workers that it engaged outside elements to disperse their camp.
Leftist sectoral representatives have also been directly accusing PAL of harassing former workers while turning a blind eye on their documented transgressions. PAL added that it is being threatened with another congressional probe with no clear legislative intent and with only the plain objective of embarrassing PAL resource persons in attendance.
PAL continues Bangkok direct service
Manila Bulletin
November 1, 2011
MANILA, Philippines — Due to severe flooding in Bangkok, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is providing options for passengers with confirmed flight bookings from Manila to Bangkok covering the period October 27 to November 6, 2011.
Ticket holders could rebook on the same class of service using the same booking class code without penalty, or they may be rerouted, subject to collection of surcharges difference, if applicable.
These options are being made available to PAL passengers in view of Bangkok’s flooding problem, which has prompted hundreds of tourists to make adjustments in their travel plans to and from the capital city.
The Thai government has declared a five-day holiday starting October 27, 2011, to allow residents to prepare for a possible overflow of floodwaters.
Meanwhile, the country’s main international gateway-- the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, has been spared from catastrophic flooding.
PAL continuously operates its 14 flights weekly between Manila and Bangkok, despite the flooding situation there.(EHL)
November 1, 2011
MANILA, Philippines — Due to severe flooding in Bangkok, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is providing options for passengers with confirmed flight bookings from Manila to Bangkok covering the period October 27 to November 6, 2011.
Ticket holders could rebook on the same class of service using the same booking class code without penalty, or they may be rerouted, subject to collection of surcharges difference, if applicable.
These options are being made available to PAL passengers in view of Bangkok’s flooding problem, which has prompted hundreds of tourists to make adjustments in their travel plans to and from the capital city.
The Thai government has declared a five-day holiday starting October 27, 2011, to allow residents to prepare for a possible overflow of floodwaters.
Meanwhile, the country’s main international gateway-- the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, has been spared from catastrophic flooding.
PAL continuously operates its 14 flights weekly between Manila and Bangkok, despite the flooding situation there.(EHL)
Monday, October 31, 2011
PAL readying charges vs protesters
The Philippine Star
October 31, 2011
By Rudy Santos
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines is preparing charges against its former employees who prevented one of PAL’s catering trucks from leaving the airline’s Inflight Center (IFC) building Saturday.
PAL lawyer Clara de Castro said airline security have identified the truncheon-wielding protesters who blocked Gate 1 of the IFC along MIA Road. The rallyists placed wooden planks with nails and set fire to a box to prevent PAL’s truck from leaving the facility.
“This is not the first time that former PAL workers prevented PAL employees and vehicles from entering and leaving its facility. But Saturday’s well-documented blocking of a PAL catering van shows how brazen they have become,” De Castro said.
She said PAL lawyers are preparing charges for violation of its property rights, particularly the right to free and unhampered access to its own property; the right to use its vehicles and buildings; and the right to allow its workers or service providers to enter and leave the facility without being harassed by protesters.
While the protesters’ claim that they have a right to make camp in front of the IFC building is “questionable,” PAL’s right to free access to and from its own facility is “absolute” and guaranteed by the Constitution, De Castro said.
She also said libel charges are being prepared against protesters claiming that the airline hired so-called “goons” to disperse their camp.
“Baseless allegations of dispersal is a poor attempt by protesting workers to cover up their own blatant violations by threatening harm against PAL personnel who want to bring out PAL property from its inflight center,” she said.
De Castro said PAL security forces merely took a defensive stance. “Not one of them ever touched a protester, a streamer, or any part of the protesters’ camp. They were there to ensure order in case things get out of hand as PAL tries to bring its truck out,” she added.
October 31, 2011
By Rudy Santos
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines is preparing charges against its former employees who prevented one of PAL’s catering trucks from leaving the airline’s Inflight Center (IFC) building Saturday.
PAL lawyer Clara de Castro said airline security have identified the truncheon-wielding protesters who blocked Gate 1 of the IFC along MIA Road. The rallyists placed wooden planks with nails and set fire to a box to prevent PAL’s truck from leaving the facility.
“This is not the first time that former PAL workers prevented PAL employees and vehicles from entering and leaving its facility. But Saturday’s well-documented blocking of a PAL catering van shows how brazen they have become,” De Castro said.
She said PAL lawyers are preparing charges for violation of its property rights, particularly the right to free and unhampered access to its own property; the right to use its vehicles and buildings; and the right to allow its workers or service providers to enter and leave the facility without being harassed by protesters.
While the protesters’ claim that they have a right to make camp in front of the IFC building is “questionable,” PAL’s right to free access to and from its own facility is “absolute” and guaranteed by the Constitution, De Castro said.
She also said libel charges are being prepared against protesters claiming that the airline hired so-called “goons” to disperse their camp.
“Baseless allegations of dispersal is a poor attempt by protesting workers to cover up their own blatant violations by threatening harm against PAL personnel who want to bring out PAL property from its inflight center,” she said.
De Castro said PAL security forces merely took a defensive stance. “Not one of them ever touched a protester, a streamer, or any part of the protesters’ camp. They were there to ensure order in case things get out of hand as PAL tries to bring its truck out,” she added.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
More than half of PAL workers takes checks
The Manila Times
October 29, 2011
By Darwin G. Amojelar
PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) on Friday said more than half of its retrenched workers have received their separation pay as of October 26.
In a statement, PAL said close to 60 percent of the more than 2,300 former employees of the three outsourced PAL units, including former union members participating at the protest campsite in front of the flag carrier’s Inflight Center, lined up at seven distribution points where separation checks were released since October 14.
“Our Human Resource Department at Pasay City accommodated 562 check claimants,” Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesperson said.
Of those who refused to transfer to PAL’s service providers, more than a third already claimed their checks.
The more than 600 staff who chose to work with the three service providers comprised the first batch of check recipients. The separation checks, partly funded by a $50-million loan from a European bank, comprised the economic package of the P2.6 billion severance bundle ordered by the Department of Labor and Employment and Malacañang.
“The daily crowd of former PAL employees claiming their separation checks is the best proof against the former union officers’ assertion that they are rejecting the package,” Villaluna said.
In Mactan, Cebu, 178 out of the total 206 terminated employees already received their separation checks. The checks of more than 300 union members who participated in the September 27 wildcat strike at the NAIA Terminal 2 that grounded PAL flights for nearly 12 hours, are being withheld pending their final clearance.
Villaluna said components of the package are much higher than industry levels and more than the prescribed benefits under the Labor Code and PAL’s own Collective Bargaining Agreement with its ground workers’ union.
October 29, 2011
By Darwin G. Amojelar
PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) on Friday said more than half of its retrenched workers have received their separation pay as of October 26.
In a statement, PAL said close to 60 percent of the more than 2,300 former employees of the three outsourced PAL units, including former union members participating at the protest campsite in front of the flag carrier’s Inflight Center, lined up at seven distribution points where separation checks were released since October 14.
“Our Human Resource Department at Pasay City accommodated 562 check claimants,” Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesperson said.
Of those who refused to transfer to PAL’s service providers, more than a third already claimed their checks.
The more than 600 staff who chose to work with the three service providers comprised the first batch of check recipients. The separation checks, partly funded by a $50-million loan from a European bank, comprised the economic package of the P2.6 billion severance bundle ordered by the Department of Labor and Employment and Malacañang.
“The daily crowd of former PAL employees claiming their separation checks is the best proof against the former union officers’ assertion that they are rejecting the package,” Villaluna said.
In Mactan, Cebu, 178 out of the total 206 terminated employees already received their separation checks. The checks of more than 300 union members who participated in the September 27 wildcat strike at the NAIA Terminal 2 that grounded PAL flights for nearly 12 hours, are being withheld pending their final clearance.
Villaluna said components of the package are much higher than industry levels and more than the prescribed benefits under the Labor Code and PAL’s own Collective Bargaining Agreement with its ground workers’ union.
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