Philippine Airlines (PAL) management said it has resumed its flight operations, albeit operating on a reduced schedule, with the deployment of two US-bound flights, three regional and two domestic flights early yesterday morning, amid charges that certain ground equipment was damaged by striking workers of the flag carrier’s ground crew union.
PAL management condemned the illegal work stoppage by the members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (Palea) that led to the suspension of airport operations and the cancellation of 172 inbound and outbound flights (102 international and 70 domestic) from PAL’s hub at NAIA Terminal 2 yesterday.
PAL said it would lose millions of dollars in operational losses due to the wildcat strike of its ground handling crew which paralyzed the operations at its hub at the NAIA Terminal 2.
Close to 400 members of the PAL union workers assigned to the check-in counters, baggage, ramp and catering services suddenly abandoned their posts causing the cancellation of over a hundred international and domestic flights and inconveniencing thousands of passengers.
With no one processing the passengers and nobody loading and unloading the bags to and from the aircraft, PAL operations grounded to a halt. On board food also became a problem as the catering crew also left their posts.
It was learned that the batteries and cables used in several ramp machineries were
deliberately removed by strikers. Spurious data were also inputted into the computer systems forcing the management to perform a thorough audit of the database.
With PAL back online, airline officials said they are operating on a “reduced mode” while a thorough inventory and revamp of all the equipment are still being undertaken with the new staff getting acquainted with the system.
Joey De Guzman, PAL vice president for corporate communications said all PAL union workers who participated in the illegal strike will no longer receive the benefits offered earlier by the airline, saying “we have already cancelled their benefits.”
With the help of NAIA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado and members of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, the striking workers were asked to move out of the premises so that the management can send in volunteers to operate the systems and have a semblance of normalcy.
Police were deployed to keep an eye on Palea strikers yesterday to ensure order.
Both international and domestic check in counters at the NAIA Terminal 2 were ‘cleared’ by airport authorities almost 12 hours after striking workers refused to perform their duties.
Airport officials are convincing protesting PAL ramp workers to yield control of PAL equipment such as tow tugs, pushback tractors and conveyor belt loaders used for servicing arriving and departing airplanes
PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna said the flag carrier was able to mount the following: Manila-Davao (PR821); Manila-Kalibo (PR239); Manila-Hong Kong (PR310); Manila-Bangkok (PR732); Manila – Los Angeles (PR102); Manila-San Francisco (PR104); Manila-Jakarta (PR535).
“Despite our best efforts to restore normalcy at NAIA Terminal 2, it is unfortunate that the union still persists in hampering our airport operations and preventing the delivery of service to our passengers,” PAL said.
Although operations slightly improved, a total of 64 domestic and 40 international flights were cancelled today due to manpower shortage even as hundreds of PAL volunteers stepped in to perform check-in, ramp and catering functions.
The domestic flights operating today are selected regular services to Davao, Cebu, Kalibo and Dumaguete. PAL will also mount replacement flights in four specific flights cancelled Sept. 27 from Manila to Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Bacolod and Cebu, and back.
Meanwhile, international flights today are as follows: Hong Kong, Xiamen, Beijing, Narita, Nagoya, Kansai, Incheon, Taipei, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Australia.
PAL said it expects to return to normal operations within a month after its designated service providers – Sky Logistics, Sky Kitchen and SPi Global – formally take over the airline’s ground-handling, catering and call-center reservations functions, respectively.
PAL has deployed a corps of trained management volunteers to handle these functions during the transition period to the service providers.
“PAL apologizes to the passengers for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellations and unexpected delays,” PAL said.
“Affected passengers are advised to call our ticket offices and reservations center at telephone number (02) 855-8888 for the latest flight updates. We have reinforced these offices with a full complement of volunteers,” it added.
Meanwhile, President Aquino said the Palace was studying whether Palea employees could be charged, but also said that he hopes PAL and Palea would still meet and resolve their labor conflict.
At same time he declared that the Department of Labor and Employment would continue investigating the decision of PAL employees to suddenly go on strike that crippled the airline’s operations Tuesday,
In a press briefing Wednesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Abigail Valte said they have not lost hope that PAL and Palea would still find a common ground that would end the hostile labor condition at the PAL which does not only affect the operations of the country’s flag carrier but most importantly jeopardize the safety of its passengers.
In a related move, the chairman of the House committee on labor yesterday lamented the decision of PAL workers to go on on strike in the midst of the onslaught of typhoon Tuesday.
Northern Samar Rep. Emil Ong said Palea strike has given the country’s unionism movement a black eye for the failure of Palea leaders to consider the plight of passengers who have booked for their flights.
“Palea leaders may not know it but by their action, they have given unionism in the country a bad name,” said Ong.
Zambales Rep. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay shared Ong’s position describing the strike as “ill-timed”, adding that the union and its members face accusations of “insensitivity” for leaving their posts while thousands of passengers are waiting for their flight.
“The timing is unfortunate. They should know that sensitivity counts a lot,” Magsaysay said during the weekly Minority bloc press briefing.
Ong noted that the Supreme Court (SC) had already ruled against a previous work stoppage staged by Palea, saying that the union should have learned a lesson from the ruling.
“Aside from the legal issues that may be raised against them, the union should have considered the fact that the strike will adversely affect the overall welfare of the country, particularly its economy,” said Ong.
Nonetheless, Ong said Palea could still continue pursuing legal venues to air their grievances.
Ong stressed that in trying to resolve their dispute, both Palea and the PAL management must consider the general welfare of the country.
“Definitely, going on strike while a dangerous typhoon threatens us could be considered an insensitive act,” Ong stated. –Conrado Ching and Charlie V. Manalo with Gil Bugaoisan, Daily Tribune
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