FASAP slams PAL for retiring 8 flight attendants

Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) president Bob Aduiza denounced the Philippine Airlines (PAL) management for retiring eight female flight attendants despite an order from the labor department raising the retirement age of all PAL flight attendants to 60 years old.

He said the PAL management’s move to retire its female flight attendants at 55 years old is an utter disregard toward Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz’ s recent order.

“This is an affront not only to FASAP but also in utter disregard toward Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz’s recent ruling” Anduiza said in a statement.

“PAL only worsens the dispute between PAL and FASAP and it is another display of PAL’s disrespect toward female workers” he added.

PAL management served notices of separation to eight female flight attendants informing them of their compulsory retirement effective Jan.16, 2011.

It came as a shock and devastating blow to the affected flight attendants, who were caught unaware of PAL’s intentions, considering the recent DoLE ruling. Last Dec. 23, 2010, DoLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz issued an order to raise  the retirement age of all PAL flight attendants to 60 years old.

It was recalled that the DoLE secretary assumed jurisdiction of the PAL-FASAP labor dispute last October after FASAP filed a notice of strike to press for equality in PAL’s retirement policies. The discriminatory retirement age policy is the major issue of the PAL-FASAP labor dispute.

The assumption order prevented the strike but mandated the status quo. PAL’s move to still retire flight attendants at 55 years old defies the said order, he said.

We urge Secretary Baldoz to immediately stop PAL management from retiring the flight attendants, which is contrary to the  DoLE ruling”  he said. –Mina Diaz, Daily Tribune