Aquino appeals to PAL labor, management to resume talks

By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated September 11, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino appealed yesterday to the management and employees of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to return to the negotiating table and consider public interest in their decision.

The President said he instructed the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Department of Labor and Employment to intervene in the talks.
He said the government officials must enter “into the picture and continue to be into a picture to get both sides to an agreement.”

At the same time, the President said the review of the open skies policy was being fasttracked since a more liberalized aviation industry could attract more tourists to visit the country.

The Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines filed a notice of strike with the Department of Labor and Employment on Thursday. FASAP vice-president Andy Ortega said the group’s 1,600 members would join the strike.

“I appeal to both sides, both labor and management, to go to the bargaining table with the end in view of really achieving that agreement. At the end of the day, I guarantee you we will not sacrifice the public interest,” Mr. Aquino said.

“If I have to choose between the PAL and the Filipino people, I think the choice is obvious. So I want to remind them of that,’ he stressed.

But the President expressed confidence the FASAP would not go into an illegal strike.
“This is an industry imbued with national interest. The secretary of labor can take cognizance of the same. She was interviewed (Thursday) and she did mention two things: There is no strike yet then they are enjoined from going on strike, and if they are already on strike they will be issued return to work orders and then mediation. They are hopeful that there will be a resolution to all of these issues,” he said.

The President added the forthcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations could be used to reach an amicable solution.

“At this point, there is no expectation that the services will be disrupted. But even without that expectation, there has been a notice by the CAB (Civil Aviation Board) to other airlines of potential slots that they will be given to replace the slots that PAL probably will not be servicing if they go on strike,” Aquino said.

Mr. Aquino said that if necessary, he would impose the open skies policy “to minimize disruptions to the riding public” caused by PAL problems.

The notice of strike was filed after FASAP failed to reach a compromise agreement with PAL management during mediation talks at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board last Aug. 9.
FASAP withdrew from the talks after PAL refused to change its policies on mandatory retirement age and on maternity and pregnancy leaves.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz earlier said that after a notice of strike was filed, it would take 30 days for a cooling off period to still look for a settlement.