Strikers barred from in-flight center

The Pasay City Regional Trial Court has issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting striking employees of the Philippine Airlines from holding demonstrations outside the In-Flight Center along MIA Road.

Executive Judge Edwin Ramizo signed the 72-hour TRO Monday afternoon based on the petition of PAL management.

In his order, Ramizo said members of PAL Employees Association were preventing and depriving the flag carrier of its right to operate the IFC facilities.

The Center has been the site of protest actions by union members who were denouncing the airline’s contractualization program of PAL that has led to the dismissal of some 2,000 of their group.

PALEA president and Partido ng Manggagawa vice chairman Gerry Rivera said the court was deceived by PAL into granting a TRO against them.

“PAL misled the court into issuing a TRO by concealing that the protest camp at the IFC arose out of an ongoing labor dispute. Although Judge Ramizo should have also exercised prudence since the labor row is a matter of public knowledge. Similar to the Supreme Court recall of the flights attendants’ case, PAL is using the justice system to cause injustice,” he said.

Rivera said the protesters would continue the IFC camp out, alluding to mass action in the United States.

“Similar to Occupy Wall Street which has fought eviction by the New York City government and police, we will not surrender our occupation of the airport area despite continuing threats of demolition.”

Rivera also questioned the Pasay court’s authority in issuing an injunction, saying regular courts had no jurisdiction in cases originating from labor disputes, as stated in the Labor Code.

Last Friday, PAL management started releasing P2.6 billion in separation benefits to displaced workers uder the outsourcing program, excluding those who participated in a wildcat strike that paralyzed flight operations on Sept. 27.  –Ferdinand Fabella, Manila Standard Today