By Jerome Aning
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 09/30/2010
MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Airlines (PAL) has asked the labor department to take immediate steps to avert a strike at the flag carrier after a cabin crew union Wednesday served notice that it would proceed with its planned work stoppage following a deadlock in conciliation talks.
Unless the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) assumes jurisdiction over the labor dispute, the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines may legally hold a strike by next week, FASAP said.
“The talks are deadlocked. FASAP finds no more need to meet with PAL and will now concentrate on preparing for the strike,” FASAP president Bob Anduiza said in a statement.
FASAP filed a notice of strike on Sept. 9 following dispute in its collective bargaining agreement with management. A 30-day “cooling off” period followed, during which the DoLE’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) hosted several rounds of mediation.
Anduiza said the strike could happen “between the end of October and the first week of November after the mandated cooling-off period and the holding of the strike vote.”
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna assured the public that “a strike will not happen overnight.”
“Management is asking DoLE to immediately step in to avert the strike and protect the interests of the riding public,” she said.
The labor secretary can assume jurisdiction over the dispute and resolve the case, especially one involving a company imbued with national interest.
When the DoLE assumes jurisdiction, no strike may be held and workers already on strike are ordered to return to work. The company may not lock down its premises against its workers.
A DoLE official, who asked not to be named, said he believes the DoLE would assume jurisdiction even without the labor or management panel asking for it.
The union said the strike was to protest PAL’s “outdated and sexist policies.”
“This is not merely about pay increases, this is mainly about the respect and dignity of female flight attendants. It’s about discrimination,” said Anduiza.
Anduiza accused the airline of insincerity during the compulsory mediation talks.
“PAL is playing games and is insisting on its unreasonable retirement age limit. They are not serious in resolving the dispute,” he said.
The airline countered that it had “bent over backwards” to meet FASAP halfway.
“Contrary to FASAP’s claims, there will be no layoffs as a result of the mixed crew scheme. There will also be no reduction in flight assignments and pay of international cabin attendants,” Villaluna said.
She noted that the policy of having flight attendants retire earlier than the law-mandated 60 years old is benchmarked to policies of other carriers in the region. With Paolo Montecillo
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