No strike as PAL arbitration starts

MANILA, Philippines—It’s status quo for now at the Philippine Airlines.

“No strike yet, for now everything remains the same and we are directed to submit our position papers on the issue not later than May 9,” said Gerry Rivera, president of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA).

The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) conducted the first arbitration hearing between PAL management and employees Wednesday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz earlier handed over the labor dispute to the NLRC for compulsory arbitration.

PALEA had accused PAL management of refusal to enter into a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and filed a notice of strike at the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), but this was stopped by Baldoz.

PALEA wanted to include the issue of contractualization in the CBA talks but this was rejected by PAL management.

PAL president Jaime J. Bautista, who attended the hearing, said they are willing to talk with the airline’s labor union.

However, Bautista said PAL would still push through with the outsourcing of its in-flight catering, airline service and call center reservations.

He said it would be absurd for the PAL management to agree to include the “spin-off” issue in the CBA negotiations when it has already secured the green light from DoLE and Malacañang to proceed with the plan.

“We should not include any more a case which has been decided. Let us honor the decision of DoLE and the President,” he said.