No flight disruptions – PAL

October 6, 2010
Fil C. Sionil
Manila Bulletin

Philippine Airlines (PAL) management yesterday assured the riding public that there will be no disruptions in flight services despite the impasse on its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP).

“Our operations will continue. There will be no disruptions in our flights,” PAL President Jaime Bautista told the Manila Bulletin shortly after negotiations with FASAP bogged down with both parties taking a hard stance on three major issues – economics, retirement age, and gender discrimination.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) mediated between PAL management and FASAP but was unsuccessful in getting the two groups to agree on these three issues.

“We did not agree because we both did not change our stance on economics, retirement age, and gender discrimination,” Bautista said.

As a result, Bautista disclosed PAL and FASAP signified their “manifestation to submit for arbitration” the case to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. “Both of us agreed to into arbitration case.”

The arbitration paves the way for the Labor secretary to “assume jurisdiction” over the CBA case, specifically perusing the three contentious issues with fine tooth comb.

“Arbitration prevents both parties from performing or resorting to any acts that would exacerbate the situation. This means there will be no strike or lockout,” Bautista pointed out.

Earlier, the 1,600 strong FASAP had filed a notice that it will go on strike before the end of the month should the October 5 meeting fails to resolve any of the issues at hand.

Though this is nothing new for the management of the flag-carrier as it has undergone this process with the PAL Employees Association (PALEA), it will be the first time that it will go into arbitration with FASAP.

Under the process, both parties will be required to submit their positions on issues such as paid maternal leave, the mandatory company policy for female air hostesses to retire at the age of 40.