PAL workers to hold strike vote; airline questions notice

Posted on 09:02 PM, December 06, 2010
Business World

THE PHILIPPINE Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) plans to hold a strike vote today to get support for a planned work stoppage amid the airline’s plan to outsource three units and lay off employees.
But the Lucio C. Tan-led airline is questioning the move, saying PALEA’s complaints have been consolidated into one and that the union had agreed to a status quo.

In a statement, Gerardo F. Rivera, president of PALEA, said his group submitted a notice to hold a strike vote before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board of the Labor department at 8:30 a.m. yesterday.

The notice involves a new complaint in which PALEA claims the airline has been negotiating with workers individually over early retirement packages.

The previous case, which was taken over by the Labor secretary in April to prevent a strike, involves union-busting and other claims following PAL’s decision to outsource in-flight catering, airport services, and call center reservations, which would result in the layoff of 2,600 workers.

“With a copy furnished for the Office of the Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz at 8:55 a.m., this means that PALEA can proceed with the strike vote from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight tomorrow (Dec. 7),” he said.

“The strike vote is in compliance with the requirements of the law. If management does not desist from harassing PALEA members ... which is tantamount to individual bargaining and therefore illegal, then we will be forced to hold the strike,” Mr. Rivera added.

PAL spokeswoman Cielo C. Villaluna said in a telephone interview the management is “questioning the legality and propriety of the filing of the notice of strike vote.”

“We can’t understand why they have filed such notice if they are the ones who asked to maintain the status quo while the case is being decided by the Office of the President,” she said.

“As far as we know, both parties have agreed to wait until the Office of the President releases a decision on the matter,” she added.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz told BusinessWorld the concerns of PALEA have been consolidated in one case and was forwarded to the Office of the President last month.

Ms. Baldoz said that after the union completes the strike vote today, PALEA has to wait seven more days before proceeding to a strike. -- Aura Marie P. Dagcutan