Striking PAL employeestake protest to the streets

CEBU, Philippines - Employees of Philippine Air Lines stationed at the Mactan Cebu International Airport who refused to accept the offer of the management to give way to the implementation of the outsourcing program took to the streets yesterday.

Ten PAL employees, accompanied by the members of the different labor groups in Cebu, assembled in Barangay Looc in Mandaue City and marched through the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge, along L. Quezon Ave. then up to the checkpoint area leading to the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Airport policemen and those from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and Regional Mobile Group were deployed at the vicinity to maintain the peace and order in the area and make sure the protesters will not affect the flow of traffic.

Eutiquio Bulambot, an employee of PAL for more than 30 years now and also the board member of PAL Employees Association at MCIA, said this is the start of their continuing protest action against PAL management.

“Magpadayon kining among kalihokan aron ipa-kita sa management sa PAL nga kusganon gayud ang among pagsupak sa ilang bag-o karon nga pamaagi,” said Bulambot.

He admitted that only few of them refused to accept the package offered by PAL, but they will show them that they are united against the new policy.

More than fifty members of the different labor groups in Cebu joined them in the protest.Bulambot thanked them and other labor unions in Cebu for sympathizing with them in their fight against the PAL management.

He said that it is not their intention to delay the flights of the riding public but they are only protecting the interest of the employees.

The new outsourcing and contractualization scheme adopted by the PAL management is seen to affect 2,600 workers working in the airline’s airport services, catering services and call center reservations nationwide.

The airline has tapped Sky Logistics, Sky Kitchen, and SPi Global for said outsourced units.The service providers announced they will be absorbing interested workers affected by the outsourcing program.

Meanwhile, sixth district Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing yesterday said that he hopes the strike will soon be solved because it has already hampered the tourism and economic activities of the country.

Quisumbing said that although he understands the sentiments of the PALEA members, he hopes the union and the management will soon settle their conflicts.(FREEMAN)