PAL seeks amicable solution to labor woes

INQUIRER.net
First Posted 08:53:00 08/09/2010

MANILA, Philippines—The management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Sunday said it remains hopeful that it could resolve its labor problems and arrive at a productive solution during scheduled talks with the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (Fasap) and PAL Employees Association (Palea) this week.

“We are coming to the table with the best intention of fruitfully resolving the issues with the flight attendants and stewards as well as Palea,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said in a news release.

PAL management and Fasap officials will meet at the Department of Labor and Employment’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board in Manila on their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Bautista said the PAL management is eager to find common grounds with the flight attendants and stewards, saying the company recognizes the aspirations of its workers for competitive remuneration and benefits.

“We're open to a dialogue. It’s just give-and-take. I hope we will all come to the negotiating table with open minds and hearts as we discuss issues,” Bautista said.

“I know the families of our employees are anxious too and want to see the issues resolved amicably and as promptly as possible. We share their concern,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bautista said he's still hoping that the 26 pilots who suddenly left without notice would meet the August 9 deadline to go back to work. "PAL, government, and the entire nation are waiting for their return so they can render service not only to PAL but the general public," he said.
He added that PAL has yet to decide the exact course of action the airline management will take should the pilots fail to return. "We will study it carefully," he said.

Bautista appealed to PAL employees to understand the company's situation, saying that it has been very transparent in disclosing its financial condition.

“We are all aware that most airlines in the world, including PAL, have been affected and continue to be affected by the global recession and slowdown in travel,” he pointed out.

He said PAL is trying to survive amidst the harsh environment in the travel industry worldwide, aggravated by the continued rise in jet fuel prices, downgrade of the Philippines' aviation safety rating to Category 2 status by the US Federal Aviation Administration, the European blacklist of RP carriers, and cut-throat competition.

“We hope our fellow PAL workers will understand that we are dealing with the worst crisis that hit the global airline industry, crippling even the giant airlines of developed economies,” Bautista pointed out.