PAL readies plan for 'worst-case' scenario in attendants' strike

Faced with the prospect of a strike by its flight attendants, flag carrier Philippine Airlines has started mapping out contingency plan for a "worst-case" scenario. But spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna on Friday said PAL's priority is still to convince the flight attendants to call off their plan to strike. "We are working on the mechanics [of] a contingency [plan] in case the worst-case scenario happens ... Meron kaming nakahandang contingency measures (We have prepared some contingency measures). In all honesty, pag ito ay widespread strike we will need a concerted effort," Villaluna said in an interview on dwIZ radio. In an interview on GMA News' Unang Hirit, Villaluna said PAL is ready to negotiate with leaders of Flight Attendants and Stewards' Association of the Philippines (FASAP).
"Sana muling makipag-usap sila para magkasundo ang management at ang FASAP (we hope FASAP leaders would agree to talk with the PAL management about the problem), she said. Villaluna also assured the public the PAL management is exhausting all legal means during the "cooling-off period." According to her, the notice of strike the FASAP filed Thursday is only a start of a legal process, which serves as "cooling-off period" to settle the problem. Asked if the management position on the early retirement period, which FASAP members want trashed, Villaluna said "we cannot grant it altogether... but we are open to discuss non-wage benefits...." She reminded FASAP leaders that the mandatory early retirement [40 years old] is contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that FASAP present leaders signed. In the dwIZ interview, Villaluna said the PAL management is preparing for immediate measures should the strike push through. She did not elaborate on PAL's emergency plan but hinted the it might include rescheduling flights that may be affected by work stoppage. Also, she said they are considering options on what may possibly happen to bookings in the event the strike begins. Villaluna noted President Benigno Aquino III had reiterated the government also has contingency measures. On Thursday, the FASAP filed before the Labor Department a notice of strike. FASAP, which represents some 1,600 PAL attendants, said the planned strike stemmed from what it called discrimination, including a mandatory retirement age of 40 for flight attendants. [See story: PAL flight attendants to stage strike vs age discrimination] Villaluna admitted that for PAL to deal with the strike, it will need "help" from 134 airline partners as well as sister firm Air Philippines. In the meantime, she said PAL is leaving the matter to the Labor Department, saying "the ball is in their court." But she also reminded all concerned that PAL is "imbued with public interest," and the repercussions of a strike are "major." Villaluna added FASAP's plan to strike was "sad" since it "adds to the negativity (and) this perception of instability." "It comes at a time na bugbog sarado ang ating bansa in terms not only from our perspective pero imahe natin as a tourist destination (It comes at a time the country is reeling from an international black eye and its image as a tourist destination is suffering)," she said. — LBG, GMANews.TV