PAL flight attendants ready to stage strike

By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) Updated October 06, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Restive flight attendants of Philippine Airlines (PAL) are poised to strike following the collapse of conciliation talks with management.

Cielo Villaluna, PAL spokesperson, said the flag carrier might use the cabin crew or even aircraft of sister-company Air Philippines in the event of a strike.

But she maintained that the possibility of strike is remote since the labor dispute between PAL management and the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) has already been submitted for arbitration to the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“It is very unfortunate that no agreement has been reached, but both PAL and FASAP have expressed willingness to submit the case for arbitration and we are confident that the Labor Secretary would be able to resolve PAL’s differences with FASAP,” Villaluna said.

The 1,600-member FASAP is demanding a pay raise, paid maternity leave and an end to a company policy that forces female cabin crew to retire at the age of 40.

“We believe that a strike is unlikely. Any strike outside of the parameters of law, there are dire penalties for that,” Villaluna warned.

With the case now under arbitration, Villaluna said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz might issue an assumption of jurisdiction order and decide on the case.

She said that during negotiations with FASAP, the PAL management reiterated its offer of a P105-million financial package and an adjustment of the retirement age for flight attendants from 40 to 45 years.

“FASAP has remained hard-line on its position, thus resulting in an impasse, but we will wait for the DOLE to immediately decide on our request for arbitration,” she pointed out.

Despite the impasse, Villaluna said PAL operations remain normal. “While the labor dispute is happening, we would like to assure our passengers that our daily flights remain normal and no mass action is expected,” Villaluna said.

After the negotiations ended in a deadlock, FASAP president Bob Anduiza said the union would prepare for the holding of a strike vote as mandated by law. He said they might strike by the end of the month or early November.

Anduiza argued that PAL management had insisted on a financial settlement without addressing the discrimination issue affecting flight attendants.

“After five meetings with the management, it is very clear that PAL will not change its position. They kept on offering financial package but refused to address the discrimination issue,” Anduiza explained.
“FASAP may be willing to negotiate its position on the financial package, but not the discrimination issue,” he added.

He said PAL was dangling money to cover up its discriminatory policies.
“This isn’t about money. This is about discrimination,” he said. 

No open skies

It’s premature for the government to resort to “open skies” even with a looming PAL strike, according to President Aquino.

“It’s not an irreconcilable case and we don’t anticipate damage to the economy by the loss of carrier capacity,” Mr. Aquino told reporters on the sidelines of the 10th National Philippines Employment Service Congress at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City.

“We’re hoping this can be resolved and we won’t need to go into the open skies policy. It will be studied completely,” he said.

“Let’s not think there will be strike at PAL in a day or two.”
At Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Mr. Aquino’s stepping into the issue would only be a last resort.

She said DOLE’s Baldoz was “very capable” of resolving the dispute between PAL management and FASAP.

“Let us give them the chance to reach an agreement among themselves. Let us just wait for the last possible opportunity before the government assumes jurisdiction, through the secretary of labor,” Valte said.

“I know that Secretary Baldoz is on top of the situation and that she can handle it very well,” she added.

The President hinted earlier that he might be forced to allow foreign carriers to come in to ensure unhampered air travel in the event of a PAL strike.

An open skies policy, which is widely seen to boost tourism, would deregulate air traffic in the country and allow more airlines to service the Manila route.

PAL and other local carriers have been contesting the policy, citing its harmful effects on the local airline industry.

“If it is necessary, we will do it to minimize disruption to the riding public,” Mr. Aquino said. With Delon Porcalla