PAL Union may Seek TRO on DoLE Move

By SAMUEL P. MEDENILLA
November 1, 2010, 3:24pm
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) ground-based labor union has 15 days to petition the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) following its resolution favoring PAL’s decision to adopt a contractual employment policy at the Court of Appeals (CA) before it becomes final.
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Monday the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) may still file a temporary restraining order (TRO) at the CA before the PAL management could retrench its 2,600 workers from its reservation, catering, and baggage departments.
“After 15 days the decision will become final and executory. Within that period, both parties may take action depending on their stand on the decision,” Baldoz said during a radio interview.

Meanwhile, PALEA President and Puwersa ng Mangagawa Vice President Gerardo Rivera said during the group’s demonstration in front of the DoLE main office in Intramuros, Manila, Monday, that it is now consulting its legal counsel to file a TRO at the CA before the end of the mandatory 15 days.
“As of now we still have no exact date when we will file our appeal because we are still talking with lawyers to plan out our legal battle,” Rivera said.

Rivera said that until PALEA continues to make an appeal from the CA up to the Supreme Court, PAL cannot dismiss any of its ground employees.

However, Rivera said PALEA will still continue its demonstrations even after they have filed the TRO.
Rivera said PALEA together with the members of Koalisyon Laban Kontraktuwalisasyon, Puwersa ng Mangagagawa will hold a rally outside the DoLE main office before proceeding to Mendiola near the Malacañang Palace to protest DoLE’s decision to President Aquino.