PAL strikers back down, PAL condemns illegal 'strike'

Striking ground workers of Philippine Airlines (PAL) have begun to peacefully vacate their stations (as of 5:30PM, 27 September 2011) after PAL security, police and airport authorities led by Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Angel Honrado negotiated for an end to their “sit-down strike.”

The international and domestic check in counters at the NAIA Terminal 2 were ‘cleared’ by airport authorities almost 12 hours after striking workers refused to perform their duties. As of press time, GM Honrado is convincing protesting PAL ramp workers to also yield control of PAL equipment like tow tugs, pushback tractors and conveyor belt loaders used for servicing arriving and departing airplanes.

PAL expressed gratitude to the aviation security group and GM Honrado for the peaceful manner by which the striking workers were escorted out of the terminal building. So far, no acts of violence or untoward incidents were reported. Almost 14,000 passengers were affected.

Earlier, the management of Philippine Airlines condemned the illegal work stoppage by the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) that led to the suspension of airport operations and the cancellation of 172 inbound and outbound flights (102 international and 70 domestic) from PAL’s hub at NAIA Terminal 2.

PAL, also as of press time, is exerting all efforts to check in passengers for its domestic and international flights. Updates will be issued later if such flights were successfully mounted.