President Benigno S. Aquino III said there are promising signs that management and
employees of Philippines Air Lines (PAL) could still settle their differences through a
negotiated settlement.
In an interview at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday, the President said he has
already conducted meetings with representatives of the labor sector and PAL management
so as not to inconvenience the public in case PAL employees proceed with their planned
strike next week.
“One of the last meetings I had this week was to talk to several individuals to include
representatives from the labor sector and PAL management. So we are trying to get them
closer to a negotiated settlement and ease the fears of both parties,” he said.
The President said the meeting took place before the PAL Employees Association (PALEA)
filed last Nov. 5 a strike notice with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
PALEA said the move came after DOLE Secretary Baldoz issued an order allowing PAL to
retrench 2,600 PAL employees. During their meeting, the president said they have yet to
receive PALEA’s appeal for a review of the decision of DOLE.
The President, who is Japan to attend the 18th Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC)
Summit said meetings between the two groups are continuing to settle the issue. (PCOO)
