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12-Nov-2010 10:46 AM

Philippine Airlines calls on DOLE to dismiss strike notice; labour groups back PALEA

Philippine Airlines called on the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) to dismiss PAL Employees Association's (PALEA) second strike notice as issues raised in the notice have already been resolved (GMANews.TV, 12-Nov-2010). The carrier stated it has already filed a motion to dismiss the notice through its lawyers. PAL also criticised PALEA's plans to proceed with strike action despite DOLE's decision, stating such a move is illegal. An alliance of more than 20 Philippine labour groups back PALEA and called on Philippines' President Benigno Aquino III to reverse DOLE's decision (ABS-CBN Cebu, 11-Nov-2010/Gulf News, 12-Nov-2010). The group plans to launch a series of protests on 12-Nov-2010. The President has assured staff who may be affected by the carrier's outsourcing plans that he will review DOLE's decision.

Philippine Airlines: "It's simply illogical for PAL to 'bargain' or even attempt to negotiate directly with individual rank-and-file workers after it has already secured a favourable decision from DOLE upholding its right to spin-off and retire its workers in the process. PALEA's threats to stage a strike and ignore legal processes is tantamount to 'taking the law into one's hands', which does not speak well of the organisation that lodged a complaint before DOLE in the first place," Cielo Villaluna, Spokesperson. Source: GMANews.TV, 12-Nov-2010.

PALEA: "We call on the government to take notice of this historic solidarity of the full spectrum of the labour movement to defend regular jobs and to fight labour contractualisation. We have joined hands in protesting Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz's decision. It is not too late for Malacañang [presidential palace] to intervene in the interest of safeguarding constitutionally mandated workers' rights," Gerry Rivera, President. Source: Gulf News, 12-Nov-2010.

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