August 10, 2010, 11:02am
Manila Bulletin
MANILA (PNA) — Malacañang believes national interest must be a priority concern in efforts to settle the labor-management dispute at Philippine Airlines (PAL), the country's flag carrier.
"Parties concerned need not only focus on what will be good for each but must also consider such dispute's effect on the public," Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma on Tuesday morning stressed.
He noted such parties can't disregard national interest since PAL is a service provider and is vital to economic development nationwide.
Restive PAL flight attendants are reportedly set on mounting a strike to protest the company's alleged unfair labor policies.
The airline earlier reported losing to other international carriers several of its most experienced pilots.
These pilots reportedly received job offers they were unable to turn down.
Such labor problems are raising concern about capability of PAL, Asia's first airline, to continue its service.
The pilots' exodus earlier forced PAL to cancel several of its flights.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the airline already revised its flight schedule to address the situation, however.
"We're also considering to merge flights," she said.
This means PAL bookings for two small planes can be combined for the flight of one bigger plane, she noted.
Coloma assured Department of Labor and Employment Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz' participation in efforts to settle the row at PAL.
"The law provides that if a labor dispute is imbued with national interest, the labor secretary can intervene in helping reconcile parties concerned," he said.
He clarified PAL's labor and management must still exert all efforts to reach a peaceful resolution of the dispute, however.
"When negotiating, there must be calm and clear discussions - this will bring forth an atmosphere of confidence and understanding," he said.
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