MANILA -- Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) assured passengers of normal operations in light of the second notice of strike filed by the ground union before the Labor department last Friday.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the PAL Employees Association (Palea) is just delaying the implementation of the company’s spinoff program earlier upheld by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
“There is no reason for our passengers to be alarmed. A strike is not likely to happen anytime soon as the Dole (Department of Labor and Employment) views PAL's continued operations as imbued with national interest,” she said, adding that the management is ready to face its accusers in the “proper legal forum.”
Meanwhile, Jose Uybarreta, PAL vice president for human resources, said his staff is now rendering overtime work just to compute the individual separation pays of affected employees.
“We wish to assure our workers that our department is rushing to meet their requests for computation and that everyone will be accommodated,” he said.
PAL president Jaime Bautista earlier said the employees are expecting the financial windfall in time for the coming holidays.
Under the P2.5-billion severance package ordered by Baldoz last October 29, affected employees are set to receive between P500,000 and over a million pesos, depending on the length of service.
PAL said the average pay is between P900,000 and P950,000 as it sought financing from government-run banks Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.
Aside from the monetary benefits, PAL will also give free tickets for the employee and qualified dependents (number of tickets depend on years of service) and comprehensive medical/hospitalization coverage for the employee and his/her family for one year.
"Management is still conducting preparatory works, including seeking financing for the P2.5-billion severance package, before implementing the spin off," said Villaluna.
Baldoz’s order will become final and executory on November 9 or 10 days after it was received by both parties last October 29.
Palea filed its first strike notice on January 28 this year when it first learned of the spinoff program.
On April 23, the labor department assumed jurisdiction over the dispute and issued two orders (June 15 and October 29) supporting the embattled airline's move to restructure operations. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)