MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday ruled to raise the retirement age of flight attendants to 60 years, granting the petition of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP).
In a 21-page decision, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz also granted the petition of FASAP for salary increase staggered over three years, and for maternity leaves to be credited in the computation of the length of service upon filing for retirement.
Baldoz expressed confidence that the decision would resolve the issues involving gender and discrimination raised by the FASAP when they filed a notice of strike before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) last month against flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL).
“I believe it is fair and reasonable to award the said benefits to the 1,542 FASAP members,” Baldoz said in a statement.
Earlier, FASAP threatened to go on strike after negotiations with PAL management for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ended in a deadlock.
Baldoz immediately assumed jurisdiction over the labor row, preventing FASAP from implementing work stoppage that could paralyze the airline’s operations.
FASAP has been complaining that the PAL mandated retirement age and maternity leave policies were discriminatory and should be removed from the CBA.