Friday, 10 September 2010 00:00
By Darwin G. Amojelar, Senior Reporter
THE MANILA TIMES
THE Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of Philippine Airlines (Fasap) on Thursday said that it has filed a notice of strike before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to protest the airline management’s gender and salary discrimination.
“We have exhausted the negotiating process, and after countless mediation hearings, PAL remains unmoved and refuses to negotiate in good faith,” Robert Anduiza, the president of Fasap, said.
Anduiza cited issues and reasons why they decided to go on strike such as the refusal of PAL management to bargain in good faith and age, gender and salary increase discrimination.
The labor union president said that they intend to go on strike by end of October.
Despite numerous promises and formal commitments during the preventive mediation hearings at DOLE to address the retirement age and economic issues in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), PAL has failed and refused to do so, according to Anduiza.
He said that the P80 million one-time economic package proposal of PAL was not enough for its 1,600 members.
Anduiza said that they were asking the flag-carrier to increase the economic package to P250 million. The union’s CBA expired in July 2007.
For 2007 and 2008, PAL gave pay increases to members of the management, the pilots and other ground personnel, except for the flight attendants.
Anduiza said that for cabin crew flying domestic routes, the monthly salary is P30,000 including allowances. For international flights, attendants are earning between P52,000 and P60,000 a month including allowances.
He accused PAL of age and gender discrimination.
He wants to extend the retirement age to 60 from the current 40.
PAL flight attendants also are being penalized for being mothers.
Anduiza projected that PAL is likely to incur a loss between P40 million and P60 million if they go on strike.
PAL airs side
In a statement, PAL said that the notice of strike filed by its cabin crew union is ill-timed since it would scare away tourists and cause further damage to the flag- carrier’s fragile finances.
It assured its passengers that airline operations remain normal and all flights are operating as scheduled.
“There is no immediate work stoppage due to the union’s filing of a strike notice. It signals a legal process by which the two parties, with guidance from the labor department, would find ways of striking a balance between what the union wants and what management can afford and is prepared to give,” PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna said.
An actual strike does not happen overnight and could take several weeks or even months.
Villaluna said that Fasap’s claims that they are overworked and underpaid are without factual basis.
“PAL’s cabin attendants receive an average gross monthly salary ranging from P30,000 to 80,000. They also enjoy enviable rest periods,” she added.
The spokesman also refuted accusations of age and gender discrimination.
Jimmy Bautista, PAL president and chief operating officer, said that they are standing firm on their agreement with Fasap and that they have not committed any illegal acts.
with report from Jomar Canlas
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