PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) and its labor group PAL Employees Association (PALEA) inked a five-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that provides for “enhanced employment terms” for the latter’s members.
“The timely conclusion of the CBA negotiations reflected a spirit of mutual collaboration and trust-building between management and labor that focused on finding ways to enhance the welfare of PAL ground rank and file employees in an era of great economic challenges,” the flag carrier said in a statement.
The agreement was signed by PAL Chief Administrative Officer Vivienne K. Tan and PALEA President Edgardo Oredina. PALEA is an organization of about 750 members or around 11% of the company’s 6,829 employees.
“I believe that an open and constructive dialogue with PALEA and other unions must always be done in a spirit of good faith which is key to establishing a strong foundation of partnership,” Ms. Tan was quoted as saying.
For his part, Mr. Oredina said: “We thank PAL Management for its pro-active approach in the negotiations which led to the resolution of key items on the negotiating table. Rest assured, we offer our hand of cooperation and collaboration. Together, we will work as a united PAL family, committed to ensuring industrial peace for the greater good.”
The listed operator of PAL, PAL Holdings, Inc., posted slimmer losses in the first quarter at P838.17 million, driven by the lower flying expenses it recorded due to a reduction in jet fuel prices worldwide. — Denise A. Valdez
