Ramos Won't Meddle in PAL Labor Dispute

The Philippine Journal

Thursday, October 31, 1996

FVR on PAL: Won't intervene

PRESIDENT Ramos yesterday said he will not intervene in the ongoing dispute between management and workers of Philippine Airlines because "I should not be a labor arbiter." PAL employees threatened to go on strike during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit next month.

The workers, belonging to the PAL Employees' Association threatened to strike for alleged non-compliance of their collective bargaining agreement by management. Despite an order from the Department of Labor and Employment not to strike, two other PAL unions — the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines and Airline Pilots Association of the Philippines — had also filed strike notices with DOLE.

The workers also sought the help of the President to intervene just like what he did two years ago. But this time the Chief Executive refused.

"Well, I passed it immediately to the Department of Labor because I should not be a labor arbiter," he explained.

Mr. Ramos pointed out that he only intervened in the PAL dispute two years ago because there were no other airlines operating in the country in 1994.

He told his weekly pass conference, in Malacañang, ”You will recall I personally stepped in more than a year ago at the time when there was already stoppage of airline services in Cebu because of the PAL employees strike from the three unions.

“But that was the time when there was no other service available. Now we have several airlines and so let the market forces and the Department of Labor and Employment resolve these issues.”

According to the President, Labor Secretary Leonardo Quisumbing is now trying to resolve the dispute with representatives from PAL workers and management.

“I think they are on the way to a solution,” he said.

The President cited the decision of management to give to its employes the chance to own shares of stocks of the company. ”I think this is part of the solution that DOLE is trying to get the two sides to adopt,” he said.