PAL union asks new airline management to reinstate workers

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (Palea) on Saturday called on the new management of the airline  to reinstate its skilled workers.

“The new management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) should recognize that the solution to the flag carrier’s woes involves not only  a refleeting of its aging aircraft but more so the reinstatement of its skilled regular workers,” said Palea president Gerry Rivera.

Rivera issued the call after the union submitted on Friday a manifestation to the Court of Appeals expressing its willingness to participate in mediation to seek a settlement to the labor dispute.

The court’s 10th Division in a resolution dated March 27, 2012, asked the parties to the case if they are willing to have the issue referred to the Philippine Mediation Center-Court of Appeals for “a final opportunity to explore the possibility of coming up with an amicable settlement of their dispute.”

The parties were given 10 days from receipt of the resolution to file their manifestations.

“Palea considers the CA’s mediation offer as an opening to end the labor row,”  Rivera said

According to him, among the issues they intend  to raise during the coming Labor Day celebration is the recall of retrenched Palea members in particular and the protection of job security in general.