PAL labor row worries Tourism Congress

Thousands of passengers were stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City after Philippine Airlines (PAL) employees staged a walkout last September 27. PHOTO BY RODEL ROTONI

A government-recognized organization of tourism industry stakeholders yesterday aired concern about the ongoing labor dispute at the Philippine Airlines (PAL) between management and union, saying conflict might affect the country’s tourism promotion efforts.

“We view with concern the ongoing labor issues between the management of PAL and the PAL Employees Association (Palea) that have resulted in major flight disruptions, massive inconvenience and moral and financial damage to the passengers of the airline, and the breakdown of essential services at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2,” the Tourism Congress (TC) said in a statement.

The group said sectoral representatives in the body were “apprehensive that the current dispute will negatively affect our country’s tourism promotion efforts, which are being stepped up vigorously.”

“We are also seriously concerned that the current dispute will further exacerbate the problem of the downgrading of the Philippines from Category 1 to Category 2 status by the United States Federal Aviation Administration and the European Commission’s ban on our carriers,” the TC added.

The Congress called on Palea to observe the rule of law and comply with the decisions of the labor department and the Office of the President that approved a controversial outsourcing scheme that resulted in the layoff of 2,600 ground crew employees effective September 30.

Palea last week staged a wildcat strike that resulted in more than 14,000 travelers getting their flights canceled or delayed.