Flights normal, PAL assures riding public

Operations of Philippine Airlines (PAL) remain normal despite the latest Notice of Strike (NoS) filed by the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In a statement, the flag carrier said flights will continue to be operated according to published schedules while all ticket offices and other sales and airport facilities in Metro Manila, the provinces and stations abroad will maintain regular business operations serving PAL customers.

PAL, however, sought the understanding of passengers who might experience slight delays as the airline adjusts its aircraft schedules to give way to special charter flights for the repatriation of Filipinos fleeing the unrest in Libya.

PAL made the assurance of unhampered operations after management said it was open to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with its employees’ union but only after Malacanang resolves the pending labor issues raised before it by PALEA. PAL maintains that DOLE was correct in its earlier ruling recognizing the planned spin off as a valid exercise of management prerogative.

PAL president and COO Jaime J. Bautista said the outcome of Malacanang’s mediation over the spin-off issue has a material impact on the next PAL-PALEA CBA. He said PALEA leaders should give Malacanang due respect and a free hand in resolving the spin off issue which PALEA itself raised to the Palace on appeal.

Bautista stressed any CBA negotiations will eventually cover only those to be left behind, in case the spin off is sustained by Malacanang.

Last year, PALEA sought Malacanang’s intervention over the planned spin-off of PAL’s three non-core units after Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz sustained the earlier decision penned by then acting Secretary Romeo Lagman.