Ground crew work stoppage forces PAL to cancel flights

As if the inclement weather from Typhoon Pedring (Nesat) were not enough, passengers flying via flag carrier Philippine Airlines were further inconvenienced by a sudden work stoppage by PAL's ground crew Tuesday. PAL was forced to cancel its flights for the day until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday, spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said. "(I)naanunsyo sa lahat na pasahero at flying public, kina-cancel ng PAL lahat ng flight sa araw na ito September 27, hanggang 6 p.m. (We announce to the flying public we are canceling our flights for the day until 6 p.m.)," Villaluna said in an interview on dzBB radio. Citing initial reports reaching her, Villaluna said the work stoppage started at 6:50 a.m. when load controllers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 walked out of their posts. The load controllers are in charge of determining a plane's weight and balance, she said. At 7:15 a.m., the personnel at the counter area stopped their work, she said. "Sa protest (ito) sa isasagawang outsourcing sa October 1 (This action had to do with their protests against the outsourcing we will start on October 1)," she said. Villaluna said PAL lawyers will talk to the workers joining the walkout. "We want to remind them hampering airport operations is a crime," she said, even as she apologized to passengers for the inconvenience. In a separate interview with news anchor Howie Severino on GMA News TV's "News To-Go," Villaluna cited Republic Act No. 9497, which states "that it is a crime to hamper air force operations." "Bagama't karapatan po nilang mag-express ng kanilang hinaing, 'wag po nilang kalimutang may karapatan po ang ating mga pasahero, may karapatan po ang Philippine Air Lines," she said, urging the workers in protest to think their decisions through. For his part, PAL Employees Association (PALEA) president Gerry Rivera said they will continue the stoppage indefinitely. "Itong protesta ay mapayapang protesta laban sa illegal lockout na sinasagawa nila sa amin (We will continue this protest against the illegal lockout by PAL management)," he said. — with Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News