PAL crisis

[JezzyCalm]

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as of now, dili nako ganahan musakay og pal and air philippines.. lisod na basin mag-suicide unya ang pilot.. i just don't want na maghuna huna og lain basta magbyahe q...

[RMK711]

From what I have heard and read, Lucio Tan is not a good employer, mainly thinks of profit.

An employer who does not think of profit, is not a good employer because a bankrupt company means the employees will lose their jobs. This is what employees don't understand. Businesses have to make money, they aren't there solely so you can have a lifetime job that pays you whatever salary you demand. If you want to make as much money as you are capable of making, then start your own business, don't work for someone else and demand they pay you whatever you seem to think you are worth because 99% of the time you aren't worth even the amount they are already paying you.

[sharkey360]

As it assumed jurisdiction over the labor row hounding flag carrier Philippine Airlines, the Labor Department warned against any “illegal" strike during the arbitration process.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz gave both parties 10 days to file their respective position papers, even as she discounted the scenario of a government takeover of PAL.

"So today I am ready to assume jurisdiction over the case and that means the issues will be resolved through compulsory arbitration. I will immediately ask them to submit their position papers within 10 days, and after that we can consider the case submitted for resolution for my decision," Baldoz said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

When asked about the chances of government being forced to take over PAL because of the labor row, she said, “Wala, wala akong nakikita (No, no, I don’t see it happening)."

Baldoz noted that after conciliation talks broke down Tuesday, PAL management asked her to assume jurisdiction over the case.

She said the Flight Attendants and Stewards’ Association of the Philippines (FASAP), which filed a notice of strike last September 9, had no objection to PAL management’s request.

In giving a warning against an “illegal" strike, Baldoz said the law decrees that an assumption of jurisdiction carries an injunction for unions not to proceed with any strike.

“Kung naka-strike may return to work order kasama yan, based on our existing laws (If they are already on strike, we will issue a return-to-work order)," she said.

Baldoz said that in case of a strike, a party can file a petition to declare the strike illegal.

“The penalty is termination from employment, but first, a competent authority must declare the strike illegal. That is the only time the penalties will kick in," she said.

Discrimination, compensation

Baldoz said the DOLE will look into FASAP’s claims of discrimination, involving the mandatory retirement age of 40 for flight attendants.

FASAP had pushed for a retirement age of 60, rejecting PAL management’s offer to adjust the retirement age to 45.

“There were indications of possible directions how these issues can be settled at the conciliation level. We will consider them, but at the same time what will really matter would be the position papers both parties will submit," Baldoz said.

She also said the DOLE may ask for a computation of the compensation and benefits for PAL employees to see if they are realistic.

Moreover, she said her department can resolve the case after the 10-day deadline for the filing of position papers.

But she also said both parties can lengthen the process by filing supplemental pleadings, or filing motions for reconsideration after the DOLE comes out with its decision.

“There are instances where parties after assumption can also request the department if there is an) opening from both sides, to convene another conciliation meeting," she said.

On the other hand, she said the DOLE remains open to the possibility of both parties reopening settlement talks during the arbitration process.

“Unless there are new developments that will come out in the process of assumption and compulsory arbitration the case will have to be resolved through a decision not through a settlement. But at any time we are open to the possibility of a negotiated settlement," she added.

On Tuesday, PAL management and flight attendants ended their mediation talks in a stalemate.

The FASAP said it will push through with its strike, but PAL management wants Labor Secretary Baldoz to settle the case.

“Nothing happened… because the PAL management did not budge in its position. There is no turning back. The strike will go on," FASAP president Bob Anduiza said after the meeting on Tuesday.

He said they are targeting the strike to last between late October and early November, but hinted it may include the All Saints’ weekend.

On the other hand, PAL spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna said they are willing to have the case placed under arbitration, and the matter is now in the hands of Baldoz.

“We hope she [Baldoz] will heed that call and we believe this will pave the way for resumption of jurisdiction or she herself will decide on the case. Wala nang mangyayaring mediation talks (There will be no more mediation talks)," she said after the Tuesday meeting.

In deciding to push through with the strike, Anduiza said the issue is not money but discrimination, referring to the mandatory retirement age of 40 for attendants.

PAL management had offered to raise the retirement age to 45 but FASAP rejected it.

DOLE gives parties in PAL row 10 days to file position papers - Nation - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

[sharkey360]

With the assumption by the Labor Department of the labor dispute in the Philippine Airlines, the flight attendants’ union cannot go on strike, a PAL spokesperson said on Wednesday.

In a statement, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said that an “assumption order has the force and effect of a status quo order. [This] means that FASAP [Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines] cannot stage a strike or work stoppage while the labor case is being adjudicated."

As the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assumed jurisdiction of the case, PAL may now “confidently firm up" its travel plans, she added.

According to her, “PAL is grateful to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz for putting public interest ahead of any particular group. FASAP’s repeated strike threats is a cause of grave concern for PAL passengers whose travel plans are being unfairly disrupted."

“Now FASAP is banned from staging a strike or any work stoppage, our passengers are assured of unhampered operations. We advise them to book early for their flights especially for the coming semestral break and All Saints/Souls Day holidays," she added.

Meanwhile, the FASAP on Wednesday urged the government to “immediately resolve" the labor dispute because the Labor department’s assumption of jurisdiction on the case has stripped its members of their right go on strike.

“As the DOLE prevented FASAP to exercise its lawful right to go on strike, we are left with no choice but to respect the authority," it said in a text message to reporters.

As the labor case is submitted for arbitration, PAL and FASAP will submit their respective position papers on three pending issues — economic package or wage increase, retirement age, and maternity- or pregnancy-related benefits — for resolution by the labor secretary.

PAL said it will show to DOLE that the airline’s P105-million salary increase and additional rice-allocation offers are hinged on the company’s capacity to pay after P15-billion losses in the last two consecutive years.

Meanwhile, Villaluna said PAL’s proposal to change the retirement age to 45 from 40 is benchmarked against its competitors in the Asian region.

“[We] put a high premium on the image and physical fitness of frontline safety officers such as cabin crew," the statement said, quoting Villaluna.

She likewise said the management’s offer of expanded maternity-related benefits is something FASAP should be considering instead of rejecting.

PAL spokesperson: FASAP barred from staging strike for now - Business - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

[sharkey360]

IS retirement at 40 discriminatory?

The Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines claims discriminatory practices on the part of Philippine Airlines on issues of retirement age, pregnancy and maternity policies on its predominantly female flight crew. I am female and over 40. I can sympathize with the pregnancy and maternity issues but where retirement age is concerned, I must take another view.

There is a reason why I am not a flight attendant. And it’s not because I’m not smart enough to do the job. It’s because I’m not attractive enough. Reality bites but flight attendants, whether male or female, are hired because they possess certain physical characteristics. At whatever age, I couldn’t have been hired as a flight attendant.

Is that discrimination? I used to be one of those rabid feminists who cried foul when I saw ads with an age qualification like 18-25 years old. I believed this to be grossly discriminatory. Since I turned 40, however, I’ve completely changed my mind. Today, I understand why 40-year-olds should not be hired. I wouldn’t hire myself.

With age comes physical inflexibility, reduced stamina, failing health, eyesight and memory. And let’s not forget pigheadedness and inability to adapt or be trained. Of course, hiring is not the same as retiring. Forty-year-olds should not be hired. But should they be retired?

I say, it depends on the job they hold. Is their job physically challenging? Does it require lifting, bending, standing for long hours? Does it require them to read literature, labels, safety instructions? Does it require them to hear perfectly? Does it require good memory?

The issue of the right age for retirement is really dependent on your job position and description. What were you hired for? Your brains? Your beauty? Or both? What does the job of an airline attendant call for? Physical agility, fitness, stamina, attractiveness, charm, service orientation, safety and rescue skills? Probably, all of the above.

So should airline attendants rightly be retired at 40? What qualified them for the job in the first place? Weren’t there weight and height requirements? Didn’t they need to possess a clear complexion and a good set of teeth to get the job? Was it not clear to the flight attendants on the day they were hired that to be a flight attendant, one needed to be physically attractive? Well, it was clear to the rest of us—the “not attractive enough” lot.

I don’t know if airline attendants need to be retired at 40 but as an over 40 female passenger, I can frankly say that I would not feel comfortable having a 60-year- old person serving me meals, helping me with my luggage or worse, dancing in front of me to the tune of Lady Gaga.

Do airline attendants need to look physically attractive? There is a reason why Cebu Pacific’s gyrating female flight attendants are an online sensation. Was it unprofessional? Yes. Was it right? No. But six million people still patronized it.

There is a reason why 60-year-old salesgirls and waitresses are rare. Is that discrimination? Perhaps. But it is the public’s preference—on land or on air. Youth and beauty sell. That is the reality.

Lim: Discrimination? | Sun.Star Network Online

[sharkey360]

Around 300 Philippines Airlines (PAL) employees in the Mactan-Cebu International Airport will lose their jobs if the labor department will keep its decision to allow the airline to outsource some services, a union official said.

“The decision violates the collective bargaining agreement entered into by PAL and the union. Under the agreement, PAL management should not outsource or contract out services,” Ted Bulambot, board member for the Cebu station of the PAL Employees’ Association (Palea), told Sun.Star Cebu over the phone.

More at CamSur can teach Cebu how to focus: officials | Sun.Star Network Online

[peewee_toot]

^^300 jd? luoya ana nila oi...

[phil8s]

have they already solve this problem/?

[armsmenion]

hala sayanga strive hard ta mga bords

[sharkey360]

PAL union to hold strike vote Dec. 7

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (Palea), the embattled ground crew union of Philippine Airlines (PAL), has delivered its notice of strike vote to the Department of Labor and Employment’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) this morning.

In a news release, Palea said the notice signals that it will hold a strike vote tomorrow, December 7, and expects to get the necessary majority support of its members.

Palea leaders delivered a notice of strike vote to the office of NCMB Executive Director Reynaldo Ubaldo at 8:30 a.m. with a copy furnished 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.

“The strike vote is compliance with the requirements of the law. If management does not desist from harassing Palea members to avail of the separation offer which is tantamount to individual bargaining and therefore illegal then we will be forced to actually hold the strike,” warned Gerry Rivera, Palea president and vice chairman of the militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).

“Management continues to violate its own promise during the mediation last November 8 that PAL managers will refrain from discussing the issues with Palea members,” he said.

“We don’t make strike threats. We just do it when needed. That is why we are preparing the requirements for a strike which will happen at the appropriate time. A majority support of members assessed via a strike vote is necessary to hold a legal strike,” Rivera explained.

Palea explained that the strike vote does not constitute a transgression of the mediation efforts of the Office of the President (OP).

“We are not blackmailing Malacanang to favor our position but we are warning management for its illegal acts. It was Palea that asked for the intervention of President Benigno Aquino III into the PAL-Palea dispute and so it is illogical that we will sabotage it. The issue pending at the OP is separate though related to the case from which proceeds the strike vote,” Rivera explained further.

He clarified that the issue pending at the OP is PAL’s outsourcing plan which has been affirmed by Labor Secretary Baldoz while the strike vote arose from the complaint of individual bargaining by PAL management which constitutes unfair labor practice and union busting.

Rivera called on Palea members “to vote yes in the strike vote in order to defend our jobs and secure our future. Those who have their day off tomorrow should go to work to register their vote and express their sentiments.”

Some 3,700 Palea members from all PAL offices in Manila, the airports of Cebu and Davao, and even outlying stations in 14 cities nationwide will participate in the strike vote. Palea announced that everything is all set for the orderly conduct of the strike vote tomorrow.

PAL union to hold strike vote Dec. 7 - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos