The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) mobilized hundreds of its members in a rally today to coincide with the first arbitration hearing at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). PALEA’s planned strike against Philippines Airlines for its alleged refusal to bargain had been stopped by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and the dispute certified to the NLRC.

Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) vice chair, said that “The good news that we want to hear on Labor Day is PNoy declaring that he is against outsourcing. But whether it is good or bad news, we want to hear PNoy speak on his personal position on the issue of contractualization. With our motion for reconsideration pending at the Office of the President, PNoy cannot stay silent anymore and it is high time that he say to the PAL employees if he favors the straight road of regular jobs or the crooked path of contractualization.”

PALEA members assembled at 9:00 am at the Sto. Domingo Church and then marched along Quezon Avenue to the NLRC building at Banawe St. They chanted “Na-Baldozer na kami sa DOLE, Ayaw naming ma-Palacol sa NLRC” in reference to the fact that NLRC Commissioner Palacol is handling the case. Secretary Baldoz had earlier decided adversely on a separate dispute regarding the legality of the outsourcing scheme at PAL. PALEA also handed out fake money to passersby in parody of alleged corruption at the Labor Department.

On Friday PALEA and PM will lead a workers caravan to highlight the call against labor contractualization. The caravan will go around the economic zones of the province of Cavite including the biggest one at the town of Rosario. “We want to bring the good news of the campaign against contractualization to the export zone workers, many of whom are themselves contractual employees rather than regular workers. This is also part of our initiative to seek the support of the public on the planned strike at PAL to force management to accede to our demands,” explained Rivera.

The workers caravan is a buildup to the nationwide May 1 protests. On Labor Day, PM together with PALEA will assemble at 9:00 am at Mehan Garden in Manila then proceed to Mendiola for a labor unity rally at Mendiola and mass to be officiated by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo. PM will also lead Labor Day protests in Cebu City, Davao City, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, General Santos City, Iligan City and Dipolog City.

The five main demands on May 1 are the stop to contractualization at PAL, the passage of the security of tenure bill, wage hike, price control and an end to the death of workers at the Hanjin shipyard in Subic.

Press Release
April 27, 2011
PALEA
Contact Gerry Rivera @ 09157755073

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