Cops Act vs. PAL Strikers

Today

Saturday, November 2, 1996

By RICHARD ARBOLEDA

Reporter

POLICE deputized by the Department of Labor and Employment to enforce its return-to-work order dispersed striking employees of Philippine Airlines last night after they continued to defy the directive.

The order directed all striking ground personnel to return to work within 24 hours and to stop all acts that may aggravate the situation in the airline. It also enjoined management to accept the unionists without imposing any disciplinary measures.

Police reportedly poked guns at some of the strikers and forcibly removed banners in the picket lines.

The workers have vowed to regroup and return to the picket lines.

The strikers, members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (Palea), in defying the order were apparently encouraged by the expressed intention of two other unions at PAL to join Palea in their fight.

"To protect the gains we have already achieved through our concerted action, all Palea members are strongly advised not to obey any return-to-work order," Palea President Alex Barrientos said.

Acting Labor Secretary Crescencio Trajano, who signed the order, said any work stoppage at the national flag carrier "would adversely affect air transport service in the country and embarrass the nation as it plays host to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit this month."

He also noted that the Palea strike, besides causing tension, disrupted company operations, resulting in flight cancellations and inconvenience to thousands of passengers and customers.

At a news conference yesterday, Palea Legal Counsel Arno Sanidad criticized officials for issuing the order without properly consulting the union during the conciliation meetings.

"No temporary or permanent injunction in any case involving a labor dispute shall be issued except after hearing the testimony of the witnesses, which in this case are the Palea, with the opportunity for cross-examination," Sanidad said.

But Trajano denied this as he stressed that the issuance of the order was "impressed" on union representatives before talks were adjourned on Thursday night.

The two other PAL unions—Airline Pilots' Association of the Philippines (Alpap) and the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (Fasap)—have pledged to support Palea.

"If needed, we are going to escalate our present position of sympathy," said Alpap President Sotico Lloren and Fasap President Robert Anduiza, hinting at the possibility that pilots and flight attendants may join the strike.

Unions from Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Co. and Meralco are also poised to conduct "sympathy marches" to show their support for Palea. With F. Marasigan