96% of PALEA members vote in favour of strike

Philippine Airlines Employees' Association (PALEA) announced a majority if its members have voted for a strike. PALEA said 96% of counted votes as of 24-Mar-2011 were in favour of strike action (abs-cbnNEWS, 24-Mar-2011). PALEA has accused Philippine Airlines of engaging in unfair labour practice as it continues to refuse to negotiate with the union on the collective bargaining agreement signed in Oct-2010. The ground crew union will file the official results of the strike ballot with the Labour Department on 25-Mar-2011, after which the strike will be formally launched after seven days if conciliation fails. Philippine Airlines management reiterated (23-Mar-2011) that the gathering of strike votes by PALEA has no legal basis and a conciliation hearing is scheduled on 25-Mar-2011. [more]