DOLE to start marathon hearings on PAL row

The Department of Labor and Employment will start on Tuesday the marathon hearings aimed at preventing a strike that can potentially cripple the country's flag carrier, Philippine Airlines (PAL). Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported on Monday DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz is determined to have all concerned parties in the PAL row resolve the issue. Baldoz said she expects to talk to both PAL management and the Flight Attendants' and Stewards' Association of the Philippines (FASAP). On Thursday, FASAP lodged a notice of strike before the Labor Department, citing the alleged discriminatory policies of the airline. FASAP, representing 1,600 PAL flight attendants, particularly scored the mandatory retirement age of 40. However, PAL said the condition had been part of their collective bargaining agreement since 2000. –VVP, GMANews.TV