By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated October 08, 2010 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz yesterday expressed confidence that members of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) would not defy the order prohibiting them from going on strike because they have been compliant in the past.
“FASAP has a very good history of complying with DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) orders. I don’t foresee any defiance, any actual strike. I believe no strike will be declared while I am deciding the case because they have a good track record based on DOLE records,” she said in a chance interview at the Mo. Consuelo Barcelo Theater at La Consolacion College.
Baldoz has recently been appointed in a permanent capacity by President Aquino.
DOLE has assumed jurisdiction over the labor dispute between the labor union and Philippine Airlines (PAL) to prevent flight attendants from going on strike.
If the union pushes through with the strike, the labor department will issue a return to work order. Defiance of the order will cause employees their jobs.
PAL and the union can return to negotiation through conciliation if any party raises new issues aside from previous concerns on the extension of the retirement age of female cabin crew and economic benefits.
The labor department has given both parties 15 days to file their position papers and replies, after which it will decide on the case within 30 days.
Despite the ongoing labor dispute between the flag carrier and its workers, the President said it is still premature to decide on the implementation of an open skies policy because the aviation market has not been upset by the dispute.
“It is not yet irreconcilable. There is no damage to the economy... We’re hoping this can be resolved and we won’t need to go into the open skies policy,” he said in a chance interview at the sidelines of the 10th National Philippines Employment Service Congress in Tagaytay City.
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