PAL, cabin crew agree to resume talks

Ana Mae G. Roa
Posted on 07:49 PM, October 01, 2010
BusinessWorld

FLIGHT ATTENDANTS and stewards have agreed to resume mediation with the Philippine Airlines (PAL) management Tuesday next week to try to avert a strike, Malacañang said Friday.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda reiterated the government’s warning of hastening the implementation of the "open skes" policy if the labor row escalates.

PAL-Flight Attendants’ and Stewards’ Association of the Philippines (FASAP) President Robert Anduiza said Tuesday’s "last ditch efforts for conciliation is a make or break situation."

"The ball is in PAL’s hands. Unless PAL addresses the issues of discrimination then [the] strike will push through," he said in a text message, referring to PAL’s retirement policies.

FASAP withdrew from conciliation meetings Wednesday and announced preparations for a strike later this month.

PAL spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna could not say if the Tuesday meeting would be the last between the two parties. "We are not sure. We can’t issue a statement if this will be the last meeting. It depends on how the directions of the talks on Oct. 5 will come out," she said in a phone interview.

Mr. Lacierda said President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III wanted the parties to settle the issue amicably, otherwise the implementation of the open skies policy, which will allow other carriers both foreign and domestic to take the routes served by PAL, would be hastened.

"[The President] was telling both parties to settle the matters amicably, otherwise, [the] paramount consideration will be the riding public," he said in a briefing at Malacañang.

The upcoming meeting will be the fifth round of conciliation between PAL management and FASAP. Both parties have yet to agree on the economic package, retirement age, and gender-related issues under a collective bargaining deal.

PAL management is offering a P105-million economic package covering 2007-2010, but FASAP wants a P250-million package. The airline wants to adjust the retirement age for those retiring after November 2000 to 45 years old from 40 while FASAP wants the retirement age pegged at 60 years old for both male and female cabin crew, Ms. Villaluna said.

The retirement age for those hired before 1996 is 55 years old for females and 60 for males. It is 45 years old for males and females hired from November 1996 to November 2000 and 40 years old for those hired after November 2000.

"Both sides have agreed in principle on pregnancy-related benefits such as including the pregnancy leave period in the computation of retirement pay. To bring to a close the 2005-2010 CBA, both sides must have a meeting of the minds on all issues first," she added. --