Government to adopt open skies policy if PAL attendants, stewards go on strike

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is ready to allow foreign airlines to service the various routes of Philippines Airlines (PAL) in case the flag carrier’s flight attendants and stewards go on strike.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr. Aquino said adopting an open skies policy could be more feasible than the government taking over PAL.

“Let’s put it this way, they will hasten the opening of our skies if they proceed to disrupt a very necessary service to the country,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said adopting an open skies policy could attract more visitors to the country.

“Yes, we will adopt what already had transpired during a previous PAL strike, it’s like we have to remind them, both sides may have legitimate issues but imperiling the economy and people should not be part of the agenda,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said he could not put the interest of one corporation over and above that of the public.

“There has to be a way of resolving all these issues apart from sacrificing national interest,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said preliminary talks have been held with those interested in taking over in case PAL does not meet its obligations.

“Now having either a total open skies policy or a partial open skies policy which was done somewhere in the late ’90s is already being studied, there are certain airlines that will make up for the slack in case the flag carrier is not in position to fulfill its obligations,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said the Department of Transportation and Communications had been at the forefront, the Department of Justice and the Department of Tourism were involved and the Department of Labor and Employment was vice chair in an ad hoc task force created to handle the PAL row.

“And they talked here in Malacañang to both parties and (Labor) Secretary (Rosalinda) Baldoz continues to be on top of the situation,” he said.

“And at the same time, the airlines that have indicated interest to make up for any shortfalls from the onset of this crisis as soon as we found out about it, the DOT and the DOTC have been talking to potential companies that will take up the slack.

“That is not a plan for all intents and purposes, but we are very, very close to implementing it if it’s necessary which was done sometime in the late ’90s.”

Mr. Aquino said PAL provides a necessary service, that impacts tourism and commerce.

“If they decide collectively, individually, unilaterally, what happens to everybody dependent on that particular service, government cannot allow that so government is already exploring options and amongst the options is to allow other airlines, not those in the country alone but foreign airlines to service the routes that PAL will not be servicing so the interests of the people are protected,” he said.

DOLE hopes to prevent strike

The Department of Labor and Employment is optimistic that the labor dispute besetting PAL would be resolved before flight attendants and stewards go on strike.

Labor Secretary Baldoz said after the flight attendants and stewards submit a notice of strike before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, they must observe a seven-day waiting period during which DOLE would certify whether the “strike vote” complied with the law’s requirements.  

“During that period, DOLE is mandated to mediate between the parties and effect voluntary settlement,” she added.

Baldoz hopes during the cooling off period, PAL management and the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association (FASAP) would return to the negotiating table and agree on a collective bargaining agreement. 

FASAP president Bob Anduiza said PAL could not just dangle money to the flight attendants and stewards to settle the three-year long CBA. – With Mayen Jaymalin