PRESS RELEASE
Partido ng Manggagawa
31 March 2011
The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) accuses the Philippine Airlines (PAL) of restricting the union activities of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) by withholding the release of its union funds.
The accusation stemmed from the information that a PAL issued a check that bounced for the March 2011 union dues. The amount represents the monthly union dues that are supposed to be remitted by the management to PALEA’s account.
But when deposited on 24 March 2011 to PALEA’s RCBC account in Baclaran, the check was not honored by the bank because the account where it was drawn was said to be under garnishment. PALEA considered it as another act of bad faith on the part of management.
“This is economic embargo aimed at denying PALEA the means to hold union activities, including holding a strike. It is a veiled tactic to restrict the movement of PALEA and its members who are now in the thick of preparations for the planned strike,, said PM chair Renato Magtubo.
PALEA members are poised to launch a strike anytime from now in protest of their management’s refusal to negotiate for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and in opposition to the planned mass layoff and contractualization of PAL’s airport services departments that would affect at least 2,600 employees.
Magtubo explained that by drawing a check against a garnished account, PAL violated its obligation under the CBA to dutifully remit the collected union dues to PALEA. Union dues are fixed monthly contributions collected from union members by means of salary check off. It is then remitted by the management to the union as provided under their CBA.
“Sensing that legitimate union actions are underway and moving fast, the PAL management cunningly set up a time delaying device by imposing an embargo on PALEA funds,” added Magtubo.
On Tuesday, the country’s biggest labor groups have come together is support of PALEA’s fight for regular jobs and CBA. Simultaneous nationwide actions will be held tomorrow at PAL’s outlying stations including Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Zamboanga, General Santos, Cebu, Bacolod, and Ilo-ilo.
In Manila, labor groups will join the PALEA march around the airport area. The seven day mandatory strike ban on PALEA will end tomorrow.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Labor groups condemn P-Noy’s decision on PAL, will support PALEA’s planned strike for job security and CBA
NEWS RELEASE
Labor Unity News Conference
Quezon City
March 29, 2011
The country’s biggest labor groups condemned the decision of the Office of the President allowing the outsourcing at Philippine Airlines which will lead to the termination of some 2,600 employees and their shift as contractual workers in service providers.
In a labor unity meeting and a news conference held in Quezon City this morning, the groups expressed their solidarity with the Philippine Airlines Employees Association’s (PALEA) fight for regular jobs and the right to a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
The names of organizations that expressed support for PALEA are listed below.
“This decision sends the chilling message to the workers that outsourcing and contractualization is the labor and economic policy of the Aquino administration. It exposed P-Noy’s “Kayo ang boss ko” slogan as a myth,” stated the groups’ unity statement.
They also vowed support for the planned strike by PALEA. Another PAL union, the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP), said they will “never cross the lines” once picketlines are set up by members of PALEA.
Several activities had been lined up by the groups in mounting their opposition to the planned mass layoff and contractualization in PAL. These include coordinated nationwide picket/rallies on April 1, which is the end of the strike countdown by PALEA.
The labor groups were disappointed with President Aquino for allowing PAL to layoff 2,600 employees while tens of thousands of OFW’s are returning from unrests and disasters abroad, and hundreds of thousands of college graduates enter the labor force this April with grim prospects of employment.
Labor leaders appealed for support from fellow workers and public understanding for PALEA’s planned actions.
“Nananawagan kami sa mga kababayang Pilipino at kapatid na manggagawa na makiisa sa labang ito. Ang laban ng PALEA ay laban nating lahat.”
PAL CBA counter-proposal “a farce”
Meanwhile, PALEA described PAL’s misnamed CBA counter-proposal submitted to DOLE as a “terminate first, negotiate later” position.
“The “counter-proposal” to PALEA’s proposed CBA is a confirmation of management’s bad faith and stubborn refusal to negotiate with the union. It is evident that PAL has no intention to negotiate. What PAL wants is MASS TERMINATION first before CBA NEGOTIATION,” lamented PALEA President Gerry Rivera.
Rivera who is also the Vice President of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) said that even if the decision of the Office of the President is not yet final and has just been issued a few days ago, PAL asserts that the CBA counter-proposal shall cover only those employees who will be left behind after the mass termination.
“PAL is conveniently using the case before the Office of the President as an excuse to defeat PALEA’s right to collective bargaining,” added Rivera.
PALEA has stated as early as last year that the company’s planned mass termination of thousands of regular employees and union members is intended to evade PAL’s responsibility to negotiate a new CBA with PALEA.
Rivera explained that despite the excellent financial condition of the company - US$ 75.0 Million or PHP 3 Billion, for nine months - PAL refuses to share the benefits of the company’s operations to its workers, through a CBA.
“After making its workers sacrifice their collective bargaining rights for more than a decade, PAL now rewards them with termination and refusal to bargain,” stated Rivera.
According to Rivera, PAL is adopting a three-strike approach against PALEA:
First, PAL violates the workers’ RIGHT TO SECURITY OF TENURE by terminating thousands of regular employees
Second, PAL violates the workers’ RIGHT TO SELF-ORGANIZATION through its efforts to bust the union;
Third, PAL violates the workers’ RIGHT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING by refusing to bargain with PALEA for a new CBA.
Assault against workers’ rights
Partido ng Manggagawa chair Renato Magtubo said the labor movement expected the Aquino government to uphold workers’ rights but they were greatly disappointed.
“Unfortunately, the government, first, through the DOLE, with Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, and, now the Office of the President, with Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa, has sided with PAL, and has allowed PAL’s assault against the workers’ fundamental rights,” said the former partylist representative
Rivera and Magtubo both agreed that when even the government is willing to sacrifice the rights of workers in favor of Lucio Tan’s company and interests, workers have no other recourse but to use a right that is still within our hands, the right to strike.
“In resorting to a strike, we do not fight for money, we fight for our rights! And we fight not just for PALEA members, but for all workers in the country,” concluded the two labor leaders.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIST OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING PALEA
1. FASAP- Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines
2. Partido ng Manggagawa
3. ABS-CBN IJM Union
4. ADFW – Association of Displaced Filipino Workers
5. AMLC – Archdiocese of Manila Ministry for Labor Concerns
6. APL- Alliance of Progressive Labor,
7. BMP-Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino
8. CLC- Church Labor Conference
9. FTLU-Fortune Tobacco Labor Union
10. KASAMA Federation
11. KATIPUNAN- NLM Katipunan ng Nakakaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa
12. MAKABAYAN- Manggagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan
13. MKP- Manggagawa sa Komunikasyon sa Pilipinas
14. Maynilad Water Supervisors Association
15. MELF- Metro East Labor Federation
16. NFL- National Federation of Labor
17. PAMAVA – Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa ng Valenzuela
18. PMT- Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon
19. PSLINK- Public Services Labor Independent Confederation
20. SMP- Samahang Manggagawa ng Paranaque
21. SUPER – Solidarity of Unions in the Philippines for Empowerment and Reforms
22. TUCP- Trade Union Congress of the Philippines
23. UNP- Union Network Philippines
24. UFSW – Unified Filipino Service Workers
25. UCWA - United Cavite Workers Association
26. UM- Urban Missionaries
27. UTWU- United Transport Workers Organization
28. Philippine Government Employees Association (PAGEA)
29. National Confederation of Labor Organizations (NCL)
30. National Mining and Allied Workers Union-ICEM
31. Bagong Kapisanang ng mga Manggagawa sa Philippine National Railways (BKM-PNR)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Labor group slam copycat ordinances against condom sale
Press Release
March 28, 2011
The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) condemned the issuance of ordinances by seven barangays in Bataan similar to the controversial Barangay Ayala Alabang rule against the sale of condoms. “The Bataan barangay ordinances against condom sale are second-rate trying copycats of the Brgy. Ayala Alabang decree that has already been assailed by many groups, among them the Muntinlupa city council. We see the hand of modern-day Damaso’s in meddling with the temporal affairs of barangays,” declared Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.
She added that, “The need for prescription undermines the right of residents in these barangays to contraceptives. In the first place, the need for prescription to purchase condoms and pills is baseless. The Bureau of Food and Drugs and even the World Health Organization (WHO) have long categorized contraceptives as over-the-counter essential medicines. Now, seemingly, these barangay officials have suddenly becomes medical experts.”
“The seven barangays of Bataan should be advised that the Ayala Alabang ordinance they are trying to copy and paste has been criticized by the Muntinlupa city council for possibly being in violation of the law and guidelines of the Department of Health. The seven barangays of Bataan are neither a republic separate from the Philippines nor a theocratic state that can draft its own rules in contradiction with the country’s laws,” Miranda elaborated.
“Prescriptions are used for drugs and medicines that may put people’s lives at risk. What health risk do condoms pose? And pills? Actually, it is highly prescribed by the WHO in preventing HIV-AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases,” said Miranda.
PM has been active in pushing for the RH bill. At present PM is holding grassroots meetings at the community and factory level on the RH bill among workers associations and trade unions. “RH is a working women’s demand,” explained Miranda.
PM further argued that legislating the Catholic Church’s doctrines, even at the barangay level, is coercive. “Women, men, parents and couples have the right to decide which contraceptives to use. It is neither up to the State nor the Church to decide on these matters.”
March 28, 2011
The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) condemned the issuance of ordinances by seven barangays in Bataan similar to the controversial Barangay Ayala Alabang rule against the sale of condoms. “The Bataan barangay ordinances against condom sale are second-rate trying copycats of the Brgy. Ayala Alabang decree that has already been assailed by many groups, among them the Muntinlupa city council. We see the hand of modern-day Damaso’s in meddling with the temporal affairs of barangays,” declared Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.
She added that, “The need for prescription undermines the right of residents in these barangays to contraceptives. In the first place, the need for prescription to purchase condoms and pills is baseless. The Bureau of Food and Drugs and even the World Health Organization (WHO) have long categorized contraceptives as over-the-counter essential medicines. Now, seemingly, these barangay officials have suddenly becomes medical experts.”
“The seven barangays of Bataan should be advised that the Ayala Alabang ordinance they are trying to copy and paste has been criticized by the Muntinlupa city council for possibly being in violation of the law and guidelines of the Department of Health. The seven barangays of Bataan are neither a republic separate from the Philippines nor a theocratic state that can draft its own rules in contradiction with the country’s laws,” Miranda elaborated.
“Prescriptions are used for drugs and medicines that may put people’s lives at risk. What health risk do condoms pose? And pills? Actually, it is highly prescribed by the WHO in preventing HIV-AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases,” said Miranda.
PM has been active in pushing for the RH bill. At present PM is holding grassroots meetings at the community and factory level on the RH bill among workers associations and trade unions. “RH is a working women’s demand,” explained Miranda.
PM further argued that legislating the Catholic Church’s doctrines, even at the barangay level, is coercive. “Women, men, parents and couples have the right to decide which contraceptives to use. It is neither up to the State nor the Church to decide on these matters.”
PALEA lambasts PNoy decision on PAL outsourcing in Mendiola indignation rally
Press Release
March 28, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) lambasted President Benigno Aquino and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa in an indignation rally today at Mendiola to protest the decision of the Office of the President (OP) allowing the mass layoff of 2,600 employees of Philippine Airlines (PAL). “In the OP decision that he penned, Ochoa exposed who the real boss of this government is. It is Lucio Tan not the Filipino people. This decision ends the myth of PNoy’s ‘Kayo ang boss ko’ slogan,” exclaimed Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
Some 200 PALEA members and supporters from PM and the anti-contractualization coalition KONTRA assembled at Morayta in Manila this morning and then marched to Mendiola. They brought placards and streamers that say “Lucio Tan: No. 2 richest Filipino, No. 1 workers enemy,” “Sa desisyon ng Malacanang, may bagong mansion ba si Ochoa?” and “Si Lucio Tan ang boss ko—PNoy.”
PALEA has already started the countdown to its first nationwide strike since the crippling 1998 PAL work stoppage. The ban on a strike at PAL ends on April 1, seven days after PALEA submitted the results of the strike vote. An overwhelming 95% of PALEA members who participated in the strike poll voted yes compared to the 86% yes in the strike vote last December.
“In drafting the OP decision as the little president, Ochoa undermined the Constitution, ILO conventions and the PAL-PALEA CBA which all guaranteed the job security and right to bargain of workers. In the decision Ochoa found utterly nothing wrong in PAL’s contractualization scheme and he turned a blind eye to all the evidence on PAL’s profitable operations. We will not be surprised if a second glass mansion is the reason behind this decision,” Rivera insisted.
“In the conflict between the second richest Filipino and thousands of PAL workers, PNoy chose to side with the capitalist rather the workers. For PNoy, it is ok for PAL to retrench 2,600 workers at a time when the company will earn $1.6 billion in annual profit and when thousands of OFW’s are returning home to escape unrest and disaster abroad. What is this government’s employment policy? Demolish all the regular jobs and turn workers into contractuals!” argued Rivera.
Tomorrow a labor unity press conference will be held by different groups in Quezon City to condemn the decision of the Office of the President to allow outsourcing at PAL and to express solidarity with PALEA.
On Friday, a big rally will be held near the airport as a dress rehearsal for the actual strike. Hundreds of PALEA members are expected to participate in the early evening and torch parade from Nichols Gate 2 to the Our Lady of the Airways Parish. The Friday big rally will be nationally coordinated with similar mass actions to be held in the airports of Cebu, Davao, Bacolod and General Santos City.
March 28, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) lambasted President Benigno Aquino and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa in an indignation rally today at Mendiola to protest the decision of the Office of the President (OP) allowing the mass layoff of 2,600 employees of Philippine Airlines (PAL). “In the OP decision that he penned, Ochoa exposed who the real boss of this government is. It is Lucio Tan not the Filipino people. This decision ends the myth of PNoy’s ‘Kayo ang boss ko’ slogan,” exclaimed Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
Some 200 PALEA members and supporters from PM and the anti-contractualization coalition KONTRA assembled at Morayta in Manila this morning and then marched to Mendiola. They brought placards and streamers that say “Lucio Tan: No. 2 richest Filipino, No. 1 workers enemy,” “Sa desisyon ng Malacanang, may bagong mansion ba si Ochoa?” and “Si Lucio Tan ang boss ko—PNoy.”
PALEA has already started the countdown to its first nationwide strike since the crippling 1998 PAL work stoppage. The ban on a strike at PAL ends on April 1, seven days after PALEA submitted the results of the strike vote. An overwhelming 95% of PALEA members who participated in the strike poll voted yes compared to the 86% yes in the strike vote last December.
“In drafting the OP decision as the little president, Ochoa undermined the Constitution, ILO conventions and the PAL-PALEA CBA which all guaranteed the job security and right to bargain of workers. In the decision Ochoa found utterly nothing wrong in PAL’s contractualization scheme and he turned a blind eye to all the evidence on PAL’s profitable operations. We will not be surprised if a second glass mansion is the reason behind this decision,” Rivera insisted.
“In the conflict between the second richest Filipino and thousands of PAL workers, PNoy chose to side with the capitalist rather the workers. For PNoy, it is ok for PAL to retrench 2,600 workers at a time when the company will earn $1.6 billion in annual profit and when thousands of OFW’s are returning home to escape unrest and disaster abroad. What is this government’s employment policy? Demolish all the regular jobs and turn workers into contractuals!” argued Rivera.
Tomorrow a labor unity press conference will be held by different groups in Quezon City to condemn the decision of the Office of the President to allow outsourcing at PAL and to express solidarity with PALEA.
On Friday, a big rally will be held near the airport as a dress rehearsal for the actual strike. Hundreds of PALEA members are expected to participate in the early evening and torch parade from Nichols Gate 2 to the Our Lady of the Airways Parish. The Friday big rally will be nationally coordinated with similar mass actions to be held in the airports of Cebu, Davao, Bacolod and General Santos City.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
PALEA calls on members to prepare for nationwide strike as countdown begins
March 27, 2011
PALEA
As the countdown to the lapse of the cooling off period begins, the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) called on its 3,500 members to prepare for the first nationwide strike since the crippling 1998 work stoppage at Philippine Airlines (PAL).
“In the face of PAL’s refusal to bargain without preconditions and of PNoy’s connivance in Lucio Tan’s contractualization scheme, we are forced to go on strike so that our demand for regular jobs and a new collective bargaining agreement are heard,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
The ban on a strike at PAL lifts on April 1, seven days after PALEA notified the Department of Labor and Employment of the results of the strike vote. A massive 95% of PALEA members who participated in the strike poll voted yes. This was higher than the 86% yes in the strike vote last December. In Cebu, 153 PALEA members voted yes and a mere 20 voted no with one spoiled ballot for an 87% mandate for a work stoppage from a 65% turnout of voters.
PALEA also lambasted Malacanang for the decision. “The decision is not a compromise but a sellout to Lucio Tan. The decision turned a blind eye to the fact that PAL is expecting $1.6 billion in profit despite oil price hikes. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa is dreaming in a glass mansion if he thinks that PAL workers will be bought off with higher separation pay,” Rivera elaborated.
“PAL’s intransigence and PNoy’s collaboration has pushed us to the wall and so we call on our 3,500 members in all PAL offices and outlying stations to be ready to stop work anytime after April 1,” Rivera explained.
In preparation for the strike, PALEA and labor groups will launch a series of protest actions next week, including a rally in Cebu. On Friday, a big rally will be held near the airport as a dress rehearsal for the actual strike. The Friday big rally will be nationally coordinated with similar mass actions to be held in the airports of Cebu, Davao, Bacolod and General Santos City. In Manila, hundreds of PALEA members are expected to participate in the early evening march and torch parade from Nichols Gate 2 to the Our Lady of the Airways Parish.
Tomorrow, an indignation rally will be held at Mendiola. Some 200 PALEA members and supporters will assemble at Morayta by 10:00 a.m. On Tuesday, a labor unity press conference will be held by different groups in Quezon City to condemn the decision of the Office of the President to allow outsourcing at PAL and to express solidarity with PALEA.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
PALEA regrets P-Noy decision on PAL, prepares for a strike
PALEA
March 26, 2011
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) expressed frustrations over the decision rendered by the Office of the President on the outsourcing issue in PAL even as it has yet to receive an official copy of the order.
“Sinubukan naming dumaan sa sinasabing tuwid na landas ni P-Noy, yun pala ang Malacanang ay ikalawa na rin palang tahanan ni Lucio Tan,” said Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
“We are very frustrated with P-Noy,” a furious Rivera said, virtually accusing the President and his men, specifically Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr., of conspiring with Lucio Tan in facilitating the legalization of labor contractualization in the country.
Rivera said the conspiracy was evident when PAL itself broke the news to the media even before the official announcement was made, meaning it has prior knowledge of the decision long before it was announced last Friday.
It was also this prior knowledge, Rivera cites, as the main reason why the management kept on delaying the negotiation for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with PALEA confident that P-Noy ever since was on the side of Lucio Tan.
The outsourcing plan will cause the layoff of some 2,600 regular employees of PAL and their eventual shift to contractual employment to third party service providers. The plan will eventually weaken PALEA and be profitable for PAL as contractual workers do not have job security and receive lesser benefits compared to regular workers.
“PAL wanted to negotiate with the dead PALEA and was able to convince the President and his men to lead the funeral before it sits down with zombies for a new CBA,” said Rivera.
PM chair Renato Magtubo on his part said the OP decision sends a chilling message to the labor front: that outsourcing and contractualization is not only legal but a desired labor and economic policy of the Aquino administration.
“The flag carrier should not be allowed to take pride in spreading P-Noy’s legacy of legalizing the scourge of contractualization,” said the labor leader and former partylist representative.
Preparing for a strike
PALEA is already preparing for the requirements for the strike before the OP decision came out. In the strike vote held last Wednesday, more than 70% of PALEA members came out and 95% of them voted for yes, with only 4% voting no.
“PALEA asks for the support of our fellow Filipinos and from our brothers and sisters in the labor movement. The CBA moratorium is a man-made tsunami that has ravaged on our working conditions and the planned outsourcing is another disaster awaiting PAL workers. Lucio Tan is becoming richer from the CBA moratorium and contractualization,” Rivera insisted.
A labor unity meeting convened in Quezon City this afternoon gathered militant and moderate labor groups in support of PALEA’s fight. They expressed opposition to the OP decision and full support to all future PALEA actions.
“The workers movement stands as one in solidarity with PALEA’s strike for regular jobs and labor rights. PAL is so insensitive it refuses to share its $1.6 billion profit with its workers through a CBA and for planning to layoff 2,600 employees while tens of thousands of OFW’s are returning from unrests and disasters abroad,” stated PM’s Magtubo.
Solidarity Message to the FEFL Assembly
by Renato Magtubo
Partido ng Manggagawa Chair
The Partido ng Manggagawa salutes the Filipino Educators Federation of Louisiana on its second general assembly. It has been a year of struggles and victories since the founding of the FEFL. And it has fundamentally been due to your determination to overcome fear and apathy, and your resolve to fight abuse and exploitation at the hands of an illegal recruiter.
As the theme of your second GA emphasizes, there are big challenges ahead in order to build a stronger organization. The Partido ng Manggagawa reiterates its support for the FEFL and the cause of our fellow migrant workers.
We look at your fight as a trailblazer struggle for Filipino migrant workers. It has the potential of inspiring the fight for dignity and justice of millions of OFW’s. The fortitude you have shown in the face of adversity. The gains you have achieved despite the difficulties. The strong organization that you are slowly but surely building. The support of community organizations, progressive groups and mass media that you have garnered. These shows the way forward for Filipino migrant workers and groups.
Your inspiring struggle and the dire plight of migrant workers comes into sharp relief as OFW’s from the Middle East to Japan confront the perils of working abroad. Tens of thousands of OFW’s are fleeing unrest and disaster to return to the Philippines and the danger of unemployment and hunger. Still many remained at their host countries to risk the possibility of death in an adopted land rather than the grinding poverty of life in the homeland.
These events reveal once more the need to revisit the government’s unwritten policy of promoting overseas employment to the detriment of generating decent jobs in the domestic economy. The government’s adherence to globalization and foreign dictates have devastated Philippine industry and agriculture thus depriving Filipinos of jobs that pay decent wages and provide good working conditions. The government’s consent to the termination and contractualization of some 2,600 jobs at Philippine Airlines is a case in point. Factory closures, job contractualization and cheap labor characterize Philippine economy thus providing the push factor for overseas employment. Yet recent events have shown the vagaries and hazards of deployment abroad. Not to mention the well-documented social costs of labor export.
Still the freedom of workers to seek better jobs in other countries is a right that must be protected. The pursuit of greener pastures across the oceans is a right that workers must enjoy. Unfortunately under globalization it is a freedom that is being restricted by the immigration policies of advanced countries. While economies are liberalized to allow the free flow of goods and capital, labor migration is subject to protectionist regulations. The hypocrisy of globalization as a development model is exposed in this double standard.
Thus migrant workers and workers in the Philippines must share the strategic mission of reforming our country’s economic and labor policy even as we join hands in the urgent fight for better working conditions for all workers, both at home and abroad.
Friday, March 25, 2011
PALEA all set for strike as 95% vote yes
March 25, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) is set to hold a work stoppage at Philippine Airlines (PAL) as 95% voted yes in the strike poll conducted last Wednesday. Some 70% of PALEA members turned out for the strike vote and a mere 4% voted no.
“The massive vote for a strike is an expression of protest at the 13-year long suspension of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and the planned contractualization amidst PAL’s $1.6 billion yearly profit. Our demand for new CBA negotiations has remained unheeded for the past five months thus we are forced to go on strike. A strike can still be stopped if PAL stops breaking promises and instead opens negotiations without any preconditions,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
PALEA finished tallying the votes late last night from all PAL offices and outlying stations and this morning submitted the results to the Department of Labor and Employment in time for another conciliation meeting. In the last strike vote conducted last December, some 86% voted yes.
“PALEA asks for the support of our fellow Filipinos, and our brothers and sisters in the labor movement. The CBA moratorium is a man-made tsunami that has ravaged on our working conditions and the planned outsourcing is another disaster awaiting PAL workers. Lucio Tan is becoming richer from CBA moratorium and contractualization,” Rivera insisted.
Tomorrow afternoon a labor unity meeting will be convened in Quezon City where moderate to militant labor groups will gather in support of PALEA’s fight. “The workers movement stands as one in solidarity with PALEA’s strike for regular jobs and labor rights. PAL is insensitive for refusing to share its $1.6 billion profit with its workers through a CBA and for planning to layoff 2,600 employees while tens of thousands of OFW’s are returning from unrest and disaster abroad,” argued Renato Magtubo, PM chair.
“The strike vote is not baseless as PAL claims. Instead it is management’s position that the CBA exclude any provisions on outsourcing that is baseless. The law provides that a CBA can cover any and all issues affecting the terms and conditions of employment,” Rivera argued.
The results of the strike vote were reflected in the demands aired in the torch parade by several hundred PAL employees. They assembled at the PAL Nichols gate 2 at 5:30 p.m. and then marched to the Our Lady of the Airways Parish for short program and prayer rally. “PAL workers also voted by their feet for a strike and against the CBA moratorium,” insisted Rivera.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
PAL workers vote to strike as protests continue with torch parade
Press Release
March 24, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) held a torch parade today as initial results in the strike poll reveal a tremendous vote for yes. Only the ballots of PALEA members in the Metro Manila offices of Philippines Airlines have been counted and show 96% votes of for a strike and a mere 3% voted against. In the last strike vote conducted last December, some 86% voted yes. In yesterday’s voting, 1996 PALEA members in Metro Manila participated out of some 2987 total members.
“The Metro Manila votes of PALEA members are a clear trend that we believe will be repeated in the outlying stations once the ballots have been counted. This is a herald of the determination of PAL workers to fight for their regular jobs and right to bargain. We hope that PAL management heeds this call instead of dismissing it as baseless,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.
The strike vote results were mirrored in the demands aired in the torch parade by several hundred PAL employees. They assembled at the PAL Nichols gate 2 at 5:30 p.m. and then marched to the Our Lady of the Airways Parish for short program and prayer rally. “PAL workers are also voting by their feet for a strike and against the 13-year long suspension of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA),” insisted Rivera.
“The strike vote is not baseless as PAL claims. Instead it is management’s position that the CBA exclude any provisions on outsourcing that is baseless. The law provides that a CBA can cover any and all issues affecting the terms and conditions of employment,” Rivera argued.
PALEA expects to finish counting the rest of the ballots from the outlying stations all over the country tonight. The strike vote results will be submitted tomorrow at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in time for the conciliation meeting set at the Intramuros DOLE office. Meanwhile on Saturday afternoon a labor unity meeting will be convened at a restaurant in Quezon City where the whole spectrum of the workers movement will gather in support of PALEA’s fight.
Rivera furthered that “Promises are unfortunately easy to make and break especially for PAL. Instead of promising to begin negotiations within two weeks, we suggest that PAL actually do so by submitting its counter-proposal to our CBA proposal that management has sat on for five months already. PAL must start negotiations without any preconditions. How can PAL negotiate in good faith when it already wants to remove provisions in the coverage of the CBA even before it has opened the bargaining process?”
March 24, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) held a torch parade today as initial results in the strike poll reveal a tremendous vote for yes. Only the ballots of PALEA members in the Metro Manila offices of Philippines Airlines have been counted and show 96% votes of for a strike and a mere 3% voted against. In the last strike vote conducted last December, some 86% voted yes. In yesterday’s voting, 1996 PALEA members in Metro Manila participated out of some 2987 total members.
“The Metro Manila votes of PALEA members are a clear trend that we believe will be repeated in the outlying stations once the ballots have been counted. This is a herald of the determination of PAL workers to fight for their regular jobs and right to bargain. We hope that PAL management heeds this call instead of dismissing it as baseless,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.
The strike vote results were mirrored in the demands aired in the torch parade by several hundred PAL employees. They assembled at the PAL Nichols gate 2 at 5:30 p.m. and then marched to the Our Lady of the Airways Parish for short program and prayer rally. “PAL workers are also voting by their feet for a strike and against the 13-year long suspension of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA),” insisted Rivera.
“The strike vote is not baseless as PAL claims. Instead it is management’s position that the CBA exclude any provisions on outsourcing that is baseless. The law provides that a CBA can cover any and all issues affecting the terms and conditions of employment,” Rivera argued.
PALEA expects to finish counting the rest of the ballots from the outlying stations all over the country tonight. The strike vote results will be submitted tomorrow at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in time for the conciliation meeting set at the Intramuros DOLE office. Meanwhile on Saturday afternoon a labor unity meeting will be convened at a restaurant in Quezon City where the whole spectrum of the workers movement will gather in support of PALEA’s fight.
Rivera furthered that “Promises are unfortunately easy to make and break especially for PAL. Instead of promising to begin negotiations within two weeks, we suggest that PAL actually do so by submitting its counter-proposal to our CBA proposal that management has sat on for five months already. PAL must start negotiations without any preconditions. How can PAL negotiate in good faith when it already wants to remove provisions in the coverage of the CBA even before it has opened the bargaining process?”
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
PALEA expects overwhelming yes in strike vote today
Press Release
March 23, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) announced that the strike vote is proceeding smoothly in all Metro Manila offices and outlying stations of Philippine Airlines (PAL). “We expect an overwhelming vote for a strike from our members who have sacrificed for 13 long years without a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and whose wages, benefits and protection have stagnated as a result,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.
Rivera answered PAL president Jaime Bautista’s criticism of the planned strike. “PAL is being hypocritical in criticizing a strike in the midst of evacuation of OFW’s in the Middle East, North Africa and Japan. How can PAL feign concern for the Filipinos losing their jobs abroad when it is planning to retrench 2,600 of its own employees at a time when it is expecting $1.6 billion in yearly profit? How can PAL accuse its workers of insensitivity when it is management that refuses to share the bountiful fruits of production via a CBA?” Rivera retorted.
The results of the strike vote are likely to be known tomorrow evening. Meanwhile PALEA is set to hold a torch parade tomorrow evening to push for the demand for the start of CBA negotiations. “Lucio Tan is the second richest Filipino according to Forbes with $2.3 billion in net worth. He has become wealthier because of the CBA moratorium and outsourcing,” Rivera insisted.
PALEA plans to submit the results of the strike vote to the Department of Labor and Employment on Friday before the conciliation meeting called at 9:00 a.m. On Saturday a labor unity meeting of different groups will gather in Quezon City to express continuing solidarity with PALEA’s fight for regular jobs and the right to bargain.
“Promises are unfortunately easy to make and break especially for PAL. Instead of promising to begin negotiations within two weeks, we suggest that PAL actually do so by submitting its counter-proposal to our CBA proposal that management has sat on for five months already. PAL must start negotiations without any preconditions. How can PAL negotiate in good faith when it already wants to remove provisions in the coverage of the CBA even before it has opened the bargaining process?” argued Rivera.
“We call on PAL to end the labor dispute and prevent a disruption of the evacuation flights. PAL should drop its planned mass layoff, start CBA negotiations immediately and without preconditions,” Rivera asserted.
March 23, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) announced that the strike vote is proceeding smoothly in all Metro Manila offices and outlying stations of Philippine Airlines (PAL). “We expect an overwhelming vote for a strike from our members who have sacrificed for 13 long years without a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and whose wages, benefits and protection have stagnated as a result,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.
Rivera answered PAL president Jaime Bautista’s criticism of the planned strike. “PAL is being hypocritical in criticizing a strike in the midst of evacuation of OFW’s in the Middle East, North Africa and Japan. How can PAL feign concern for the Filipinos losing their jobs abroad when it is planning to retrench 2,600 of its own employees at a time when it is expecting $1.6 billion in yearly profit? How can PAL accuse its workers of insensitivity when it is management that refuses to share the bountiful fruits of production via a CBA?” Rivera retorted.
The results of the strike vote are likely to be known tomorrow evening. Meanwhile PALEA is set to hold a torch parade tomorrow evening to push for the demand for the start of CBA negotiations. “Lucio Tan is the second richest Filipino according to Forbes with $2.3 billion in net worth. He has become wealthier because of the CBA moratorium and outsourcing,” Rivera insisted.
PALEA plans to submit the results of the strike vote to the Department of Labor and Employment on Friday before the conciliation meeting called at 9:00 a.m. On Saturday a labor unity meeting of different groups will gather in Quezon City to express continuing solidarity with PALEA’s fight for regular jobs and the right to bargain.
“Promises are unfortunately easy to make and break especially for PAL. Instead of promising to begin negotiations within two weeks, we suggest that PAL actually do so by submitting its counter-proposal to our CBA proposal that management has sat on for five months already. PAL must start negotiations without any preconditions. How can PAL negotiate in good faith when it already wants to remove provisions in the coverage of the CBA even before it has opened the bargaining process?” argued Rivera.
“We call on PAL to end the labor dispute and prevent a disruption of the evacuation flights. PAL should drop its planned mass layoff, start CBA negotiations immediately and without preconditions,” Rivera asserted.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Labor party joins other groups in pushing for right to water
PRESS RELEASE
22 March 2011
The labor party Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) links up with other groups under the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) pushing for the recognition and enforcement of the right to water.
A rally led by FDC was held this morning at the Mabuhay Rotonda on the occasion of the 18th World Water Day, urging President Aquino to unequivocally declare the government’s recognition of this right and to take the lead in ensuring that water preservation and water supply provision is built around the human right to water and the principles of environmental sustainability.
PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda said that because water is a finite
natural resource, global capitalism was able to alter its social function from being a ‘common good’ into a private commodity being traded into the market.
“Gone were the times when 'free water' is enjoyed by communities. Now it is a private commodity traded similar to how a cola is priced in the market,” explained Miranda.
The labor group said the privatization of the water industry in many parts of the world, including the Philippines, transformed this social good into a cash-rich business that delivers high returns to private corporations while becoming more inaccessible to the poor.
In 1992, the United Nations declared March 22 as the World Water Day in recognition of the importance of securing global water resource. Water right is a human right that cannot be denied to anybody, including the next generations.
Miranda added that chronic poverty made many poor communities virtually “waterless” as private water utilities would only lay their pipes to economically viable areas leaving the unconnected households at the mercy of aguadors who supply them with more costly and unsafe water.
According to FDC, between 1990 to 2006, the percentage of Filipinos with access to improved water sources decreased from 87% to 81%. A total of 432 communities have been listed as waterless, with less than 50% of the households having access to safe potable water supply.
Moreover, watersheds are recklessly being destroyed by corporate activities such as metallic and fossil fuel mining and other industrial activities which largely contribute also to climate change.
22 March 2011
The labor party Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) links up with other groups under the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) pushing for the recognition and enforcement of the right to water.
A rally led by FDC was held this morning at the Mabuhay Rotonda on the occasion of the 18th World Water Day, urging President Aquino to unequivocally declare the government’s recognition of this right and to take the lead in ensuring that water preservation and water supply provision is built around the human right to water and the principles of environmental sustainability.
PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda said that because water is a finite
natural resource, global capitalism was able to alter its social function from being a ‘common good’ into a private commodity being traded into the market.
“Gone were the times when 'free water' is enjoyed by communities. Now it is a private commodity traded similar to how a cola is priced in the market,” explained Miranda.
The labor group said the privatization of the water industry in many parts of the world, including the Philippines, transformed this social good into a cash-rich business that delivers high returns to private corporations while becoming more inaccessible to the poor.
In 1992, the United Nations declared March 22 as the World Water Day in recognition of the importance of securing global water resource. Water right is a human right that cannot be denied to anybody, including the next generations.
Miranda added that chronic poverty made many poor communities virtually “waterless” as private water utilities would only lay their pipes to economically viable areas leaving the unconnected households at the mercy of aguadors who supply them with more costly and unsafe water.
According to FDC, between 1990 to 2006, the percentage of Filipinos with access to improved water sources decreased from 87% to 81%. A total of 432 communities have been listed as waterless, with less than 50% of the households having access to safe potable water supply.
Moreover, watersheds are recklessly being destroyed by corporate activities such as metallic and fossil fuel mining and other industrial activities which largely contribute also to climate change.
PALEA to hold strike vote tomorrow
Press Release
March 22, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) is set to hold a strike vote tomorrow regarding Philippine Airlines management’s refusal to negotiate with the union. PALEA filed a notice to hold a strike vote early this morning at the offices of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), Office of the Secretary of Labor and Employment and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-NCR.
“We ask for the understanding of the people for the strike we are about to hold. PAL employees have endured almost 13 years of suspension of our collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and for five months PAL has sat on our request for bargaining negotiations. After all that sacrifice and now that PAL are expecting $1.6 billion in yearly profit, it plans to layoff 2,600 regular workers and make us contractuals in service providers. Enough is enough,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.
The strike vote will be held tomorrow at all PAL offices and outlying stations from Laoag to Cebu to Zamboanga. The results of the strike vote are expected by late Thursday. PALEA plans to submit the outcome of the strike vote to the DOLE on Friday. The actual strike can then commence after a lapse of seven days.
“We call on PAL to resolve the dispute by immediately opening CBA negotiations without preconditions. The issue has dragged on since PAL has been changing its mind erratically. They initially announced they were willing to negotiate. Then they said that they won’t until after the termination of half of PAL’s workforce. And now they insist that they will negotiate but only with preconditions that are unacceptable to the PAL workers,” Rivera explained.
He added that “We do not want to derail the evacuation efforts for our OFW’s by being forced to go on strike. But the retrenchment of 2,600 workers is also a man-made tsunami for the country. Still it is a disaster that can be prevented by management. The ball is in PAL’s court.”
“In just one year, PAL will accumulate $1.6 billion in profit despite the global crisis and in the face of oil price hikes. What is the secret? The wages, benefits and protection of employees have stagnated since the PAL-PALEA CBA has been suspended. Moreover when outsourcing is implemented, labor cost savings thorough contractualization will inflate PAL’s profits even more. No wonder that Lucio Tan is the second richest Filipino in the Forbes list of billionaires. He has become richer from outsourcing and CBA moratorium,” Rivera elaborated.
March 22, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) is set to hold a strike vote tomorrow regarding Philippine Airlines management’s refusal to negotiate with the union. PALEA filed a notice to hold a strike vote early this morning at the offices of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), Office of the Secretary of Labor and Employment and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-NCR.
“We ask for the understanding of the people for the strike we are about to hold. PAL employees have endured almost 13 years of suspension of our collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and for five months PAL has sat on our request for bargaining negotiations. After all that sacrifice and now that PAL are expecting $1.6 billion in yearly profit, it plans to layoff 2,600 regular workers and make us contractuals in service providers. Enough is enough,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.
The strike vote will be held tomorrow at all PAL offices and outlying stations from Laoag to Cebu to Zamboanga. The results of the strike vote are expected by late Thursday. PALEA plans to submit the outcome of the strike vote to the DOLE on Friday. The actual strike can then commence after a lapse of seven days.
“We call on PAL to resolve the dispute by immediately opening CBA negotiations without preconditions. The issue has dragged on since PAL has been changing its mind erratically. They initially announced they were willing to negotiate. Then they said that they won’t until after the termination of half of PAL’s workforce. And now they insist that they will negotiate but only with preconditions that are unacceptable to the PAL workers,” Rivera explained.
He added that “We do not want to derail the evacuation efforts for our OFW’s by being forced to go on strike. But the retrenchment of 2,600 workers is also a man-made tsunami for the country. Still it is a disaster that can be prevented by management. The ball is in PAL’s court.”
“In just one year, PAL will accumulate $1.6 billion in profit despite the global crisis and in the face of oil price hikes. What is the secret? The wages, benefits and protection of employees have stagnated since the PAL-PALEA CBA has been suspended. Moreover when outsourcing is implemented, labor cost savings thorough contractualization will inflate PAL’s profits even more. No wonder that Lucio Tan is the second richest Filipino in the Forbes list of billionaires. He has become richer from outsourcing and CBA moratorium,” Rivera elaborated.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
PALEA: Outsourcing is not an industry trend
Press Release
March 20, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) today cited sources to rebut the claim that outsourcing is an aviation industry trend that Philippine Airlines (PAL) must follow. “The typical model in the airline industry, especially in the Asia-Pacific Region, is for major airline companies, especially flag carriers or former flag carriers, to maintain ground handling and related services in-house at domestic transportation hubs,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and Partido ng Manggagawa vice chair.
PALEA said that this is the case in Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Pakistan. The group explained that in Indonesia ground handling is carried out by a joint venture between Garuda, the old flag carrier, and the airports authority. While in China ground handling is typically carried out by joint ventures between airlines and airport authorities.
Rivera avowed that Malaysia Airlines provides ground-handling services to various airlines at its domestic hub. Thai Airways also maintains an in-house ground handling services at its domestic hub. “These are facts that can easily be cross checked through the websites of these airline companies,” he added.
In contrast PALEA claimed that the service providers set to take-over the functions of the regular employees do not have any demonstrable competence in providing the airline services that will be outsourced by PAL. Citing the article of journalist Raisa Robles, PALEA insisted that Manuel H. Osmeña, the alleged owner of SkyKitchen and SkyLogistics, is a long-time partner of Lucio Tan; and these corporations were only organized in 2009.
Further in India, the national Carriers Indian Airlines Ltd. and Air India Ltd., aside from two other private companies, provide ground handling services. “We have learned that in view the overall security environment, the Indian government is considering a ban on ground-handling at Indian airports by foreign airlines and Indian private companies. It is being proposed that these functions should be performed only through Indian Airlines Ltd., Air India Ltd. and Airports Authority of India or their subsidiary companies. Thus the ground handling services in India will be regulated and quality of services assured. This will also prevent mushrooming of small agencies, which pose security risk.”
‘We hope that Malacanang will not be blind to these facts in considering its decision on the legality of the planned outsourcing. We have presented these facts in a comment we submitted to the Office of the President last February 24,” Rivera ended.
March 20, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) today cited sources to rebut the claim that outsourcing is an aviation industry trend that Philippine Airlines (PAL) must follow. “The typical model in the airline industry, especially in the Asia-Pacific Region, is for major airline companies, especially flag carriers or former flag carriers, to maintain ground handling and related services in-house at domestic transportation hubs,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and Partido ng Manggagawa vice chair.
PALEA said that this is the case in Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Pakistan. The group explained that in Indonesia ground handling is carried out by a joint venture between Garuda, the old flag carrier, and the airports authority. While in China ground handling is typically carried out by joint ventures between airlines and airport authorities.
Rivera avowed that Malaysia Airlines provides ground-handling services to various airlines at its domestic hub. Thai Airways also maintains an in-house ground handling services at its domestic hub. “These are facts that can easily be cross checked through the websites of these airline companies,” he added.
In contrast PALEA claimed that the service providers set to take-over the functions of the regular employees do not have any demonstrable competence in providing the airline services that will be outsourced by PAL. Citing the article of journalist Raisa Robles, PALEA insisted that Manuel H. Osmeña, the alleged owner of SkyKitchen and SkyLogistics, is a long-time partner of Lucio Tan; and these corporations were only organized in 2009.
Further in India, the national Carriers Indian Airlines Ltd. and Air India Ltd., aside from two other private companies, provide ground handling services. “We have learned that in view the overall security environment, the Indian government is considering a ban on ground-handling at Indian airports by foreign airlines and Indian private companies. It is being proposed that these functions should be performed only through Indian Airlines Ltd., Air India Ltd. and Airports Authority of India or their subsidiary companies. Thus the ground handling services in India will be regulated and quality of services assured. This will also prevent mushrooming of small agencies, which pose security risk.”
‘We hope that Malacanang will not be blind to these facts in considering its decision on the legality of the planned outsourcing. We have presented these facts in a comment we submitted to the Office of the President last February 24,” Rivera ended.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
PALEA: PAL should share $1.6 billion profit with workers via CBA
Press Release
March 19, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) insisted that the expected $1.6 billion profit of Philippine Airlines (PAL) for the fiscal year ending in March 2011 should be shared with its workers through a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). “PAL should start CBA negotiations now without any conditions. PAL employees deserve their part in the bountiful fruits of production,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and Partido ng Manggagawa vice chair.
PALEA also announced that more mass actions are planned for the coming week since they still have not received a counter-proposal from management. In the conciliation hearing last March 14 at the Department of Labor and Employment, PAL promised to open CBA negotiations within two weeks but subject to certain conditions. “Among others, a torch parade next week by hundreds of PAL employees is in the drawing boards,” explained Rivera.
He added that “Amidst the 70th year celebration of PAL last week, Lucio Tan declared that the company’s success was as much due to the hard work of its dedicated crew. Unfortunately PAL under Lucio Tan does not match deeds with words. We cannot feed our families with press releases from PAL. Through hard work PAL workers created $1.6 billion in profit in just one year and in return PAL plans to layoff 2,600 employees. The separation package of P2 billion is a drop in the bucket compared to $1.6 billion.”
Rivera furthered that “The labor dispute remains unresolved until PAL makes good on its promise that CBA negotiations actually start.” PALEA announced that it is already preparing to hold a strike vote “both as a legal requirement of the law before it can hold a strike and as an expression of PAL employee’s determination to fight for the right to collective bargaining and security of tenure.”
“In just one year, PAL can accumulate $1.6 billion in profit despite the global crisis and in the face of oil price hikes. What is the secret? The PAL-PALEA CBA has been suspended for almost 13 years already and in that period the wages, benefits and protection of employees have stagnated. Moreover when outsourcing is implemented, labor cost savings thorough contractualization will inflate PAL’s profits even more. No wonder that Lucio Tan is the second richest Filipino in the Forbes list of billionaires. He has become richer from outsourcing and CBA moratorium,” Rivera elaborated.
March 19, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) insisted that the expected $1.6 billion profit of Philippine Airlines (PAL) for the fiscal year ending in March 2011 should be shared with its workers through a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). “PAL should start CBA negotiations now without any conditions. PAL employees deserve their part in the bountiful fruits of production,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and Partido ng Manggagawa vice chair.
PALEA also announced that more mass actions are planned for the coming week since they still have not received a counter-proposal from management. In the conciliation hearing last March 14 at the Department of Labor and Employment, PAL promised to open CBA negotiations within two weeks but subject to certain conditions. “Among others, a torch parade next week by hundreds of PAL employees is in the drawing boards,” explained Rivera.
He added that “Amidst the 70th year celebration of PAL last week, Lucio Tan declared that the company’s success was as much due to the hard work of its dedicated crew. Unfortunately PAL under Lucio Tan does not match deeds with words. We cannot feed our families with press releases from PAL. Through hard work PAL workers created $1.6 billion in profit in just one year and in return PAL plans to layoff 2,600 employees. The separation package of P2 billion is a drop in the bucket compared to $1.6 billion.”
Rivera furthered that “The labor dispute remains unresolved until PAL makes good on its promise that CBA negotiations actually start.” PALEA announced that it is already preparing to hold a strike vote “both as a legal requirement of the law before it can hold a strike and as an expression of PAL employee’s determination to fight for the right to collective bargaining and security of tenure.”
“In just one year, PAL can accumulate $1.6 billion in profit despite the global crisis and in the face of oil price hikes. What is the secret? The PAL-PALEA CBA has been suspended for almost 13 years already and in that period the wages, benefits and protection of employees have stagnated. Moreover when outsourcing is implemented, labor cost savings thorough contractualization will inflate PAL’s profits even more. No wonder that Lucio Tan is the second richest Filipino in the Forbes list of billionaires. He has become richer from outsourcing and CBA moratorium,” Rivera elaborated.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Dasmarinas residents hold dialogue with city mayor
Press Release
March 16, 2011
The leaders of hundreds of Dasmarinas low-cost homeowners and poor residents who picketed the city hall yesterday held a dialogue today with City Mayor Jennifer Barzaga. At 1:00 p.m. the leaders of the residents of City Homes and Sibol in Barangay Sta. Fe together with representatives from the Cavite chapters of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) trooped to the meeting with Mayor Barzaga.
“We thank Mayor Barzaga for listening to the demands of her constituents but we hope that the local government sincerely finds a way to meet their housing needs. Affordable and decent housing is a right that the government should promote,” explained Ramil Cangayao, chairperson of PM-Cavite.
At yesterday’s rally, representatives of Mayor Bargaza agreed to set the dialogue today. The 500-strong protesters however were stopped from entering the city hall compound by guards and told to leave since the mayor was not in the premises. But the protesters stood their ground until the city administrator met them.
They will ask Mayor Barzaga for (1) an investigation on the deal between the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), the developer of the City Homes subdivision and the private financing firm BFS, (2) condonation of the penalties imposed on the homeowners, and (3) restructuring of the housing loans.
The residents of City Homes are facing foreclosure due to the heavy debts incurred when their housing loans were transferred from government-owned NHMFC to BFS. “Residents of City Homes are now saddled with debts that are more than the market value of their houses due to usurious interest and penalties. The transfer happened without the knowledge of the residents. It is like they were ambushed and now they risk losing their homes which they have partially paid for with hard-earned savings,” Cangayao explained.
Meanwhile the informal settlers of the depressed area of Sibol are asking the local government to expropriate the private land on which their houses are built. Cangayao said that “The city of Dasmarinas has the power to expropriate for the purpose of socialized housing through an ordinance. We are calling on Mayor Barzaga and the city council for the ordinance and budget appropriation in the interest of hundreds of families who have lived in Sibol for years already.”
PM together with AMP and Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite have been campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures. The groups are involved in the consultations being held by the cabinet level task force headed by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo with the mandate to formulate and recommend policy resolutions on the housing issues confronting the urban poor.
March 16, 2011
The leaders of hundreds of Dasmarinas low-cost homeowners and poor residents who picketed the city hall yesterday held a dialogue today with City Mayor Jennifer Barzaga. At 1:00 p.m. the leaders of the residents of City Homes and Sibol in Barangay Sta. Fe together with representatives from the Cavite chapters of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) trooped to the meeting with Mayor Barzaga.
“We thank Mayor Barzaga for listening to the demands of her constituents but we hope that the local government sincerely finds a way to meet their housing needs. Affordable and decent housing is a right that the government should promote,” explained Ramil Cangayao, chairperson of PM-Cavite.
At yesterday’s rally, representatives of Mayor Bargaza agreed to set the dialogue today. The 500-strong protesters however were stopped from entering the city hall compound by guards and told to leave since the mayor was not in the premises. But the protesters stood their ground until the city administrator met them.
They will ask Mayor Barzaga for (1) an investigation on the deal between the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), the developer of the City Homes subdivision and the private financing firm BFS, (2) condonation of the penalties imposed on the homeowners, and (3) restructuring of the housing loans.
The residents of City Homes are facing foreclosure due to the heavy debts incurred when their housing loans were transferred from government-owned NHMFC to BFS. “Residents of City Homes are now saddled with debts that are more than the market value of their houses due to usurious interest and penalties. The transfer happened without the knowledge of the residents. It is like they were ambushed and now they risk losing their homes which they have partially paid for with hard-earned savings,” Cangayao explained.
Meanwhile the informal settlers of the depressed area of Sibol are asking the local government to expropriate the private land on which their houses are built. Cangayao said that “The city of Dasmarinas has the power to expropriate for the purpose of socialized housing through an ordinance. We are calling on Mayor Barzaga and the city council for the ordinance and budget appropriation in the interest of hundreds of families who have lived in Sibol for years already.”
PM together with AMP and Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite have been campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures. The groups are involved in the consultations being held by the cabinet level task force headed by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo with the mandate to formulate and recommend policy resolutions on the housing issues confronting the urban poor.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
PALEA notice of strike stays until PAL submits counter-proposal
Press Release
March 15, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) clarified that the notice of strike it filed for a case of unfair labor practice due to Philippine Airlines (PAL) management’s refusal to bargain stays until a counter-proposal is received. PAL management was asking in yesterday’s conciliation meeting for a withdrawal of the notice of strike in return for a promise to forward a counter-proposal within two weeks. “The dispute remains unresolved until PAL makes good on its promise so that negotiations can actually start,” Gerry Rivera said, PALEA president. PALEA announced that it is already preparing to hold a strike vote “both as a legal requirement of the law before it can hold a strike and as an expression of PAL employee’s determination to fight for the right to collective bargaining and security of tenure.”
The minutes of the Conciliation Conference (14 March 2011) are below:
Both parties appeared in today’s conference.
Management manifest that considering the Union’s manifestation that the CBA negotiations can proceed independently of the labor dispute on outsourcing/spin-off, PAL manifests its willingness to continue the CBA negotiation process and to submit its counter-proposal within two (2) weeks at the latest.
Union manifests that until such time that the management submit its counter-proposal, the issue is not yet resolved.
PALEA clarifies that it does not agree that the outsourcing issue should not be subject of CBA negotiations considering that both the current CBA and the proposed CBA contain provisions on spin-off/outsourcing which are central to the resolution of the outsourcing case currently pending.
PAL considers the immediately preceding clarification by PALEA as a re-inclusion in the CBA negotiations of the issues of the pending labor dispute and therefore, a change in PALEA’s original manifestation that the labor dispute can proceed independently of the CBA negotiation.
March 15, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) clarified that the notice of strike it filed for a case of unfair labor practice due to Philippine Airlines (PAL) management’s refusal to bargain stays until a counter-proposal is received. PAL management was asking in yesterday’s conciliation meeting for a withdrawal of the notice of strike in return for a promise to forward a counter-proposal within two weeks. “The dispute remains unresolved until PAL makes good on its promise so that negotiations can actually start,” Gerry Rivera said, PALEA president. PALEA announced that it is already preparing to hold a strike vote “both as a legal requirement of the law before it can hold a strike and as an expression of PAL employee’s determination to fight for the right to collective bargaining and security of tenure.”
The minutes of the Conciliation Conference (14 March 2011) are below:
Both parties appeared in today’s conference.
Management manifest that considering the Union’s manifestation that the CBA negotiations can proceed independently of the labor dispute on outsourcing/spin-off, PAL manifests its willingness to continue the CBA negotiation process and to submit its counter-proposal within two (2) weeks at the latest.
Union manifests that until such time that the management submit its counter-proposal, the issue is not yet resolved.
PALEA clarifies that it does not agree that the outsourcing issue should not be subject of CBA negotiations considering that both the current CBA and the proposed CBA contain provisions on spin-off/outsourcing which are central to the resolution of the outsourcing case currently pending.
PAL considers the immediately preceding clarification by PALEA as a re-inclusion in the CBA negotiations of the issues of the pending labor dispute and therefore, a change in PALEA’s original manifestation that the labor dispute can proceed independently of the CBA negotiation.
Hundreds march for housing rights in Dasmarinas, Cavite
Press Release
March 15, 2011
Some 500 residents of Dasmarinas, Cavite marched to call the attention of the local government for their demand of housing security. The marchers assembled at 7:00 a.m. in Sibol in Brgy. Sta Fe then arrived at the Dasmarinas city hall by 8:00 a.m.
“We ask Mayor Jennifer Barzaga to heed the demands of her constituents. Affordable and decent housing is a right that the government should guarantee. We hope that the call of these hundreds of residents of Dasmarinas does not fall on deaf ears,” stated Ramil Cangayao, chairperson of the Cavite chapter of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
The marchers had filed a request for an appointment today with Mayor Barzaga but did not receive a confirmation. The marchers came from residents of City Homes and also the community of Sibol.
The residents of City Homes are facing foreclosure due to the heavy debts incurred when their housing loans were transferred from government-owned National Home Mortgage Financing Corp. to a private financing firm. “Residents of City Homes are now saddled with debts that are more than the market value of their houses due to usurious interest and penalties. The transfer happened without the knowledge of the residents. It is like they were ambushed and now they risk losing their homes which they have partially paid for with hard-earned savings,” Cangayao explained.
Meanwhile the informal settlers of the depressed area of Sibol are asking the local government to expropriate the private land on which their houses are built. Cangayao said that “The city of Dasmarinas has the power to expropriate for the purpose of socialized housing through an ordinance. We are calling on Mayor Barzaga and the city council for the ordinance and budget appropriation in the interest of hundreds of families who have lived in Sibol for years already.”
The march comes on the heels of a protest last March 7 by old tenants in the nearby town of GMA, Cavite due to the threat of a demolition by the local government. The picket at the weekly flag ceremony in the GMA municipal hall caught the attention of some councilors who promised to look in the demand for decent relocation.
PM together with Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino and Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite have been campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures. The groups are involved in the consultations being held by the cabinet level task force headed by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo with the mandate to formulate and recommend policy resolutions on the housing issues confronting the urban poor.
March 15, 2011
Some 500 residents of Dasmarinas, Cavite marched to call the attention of the local government for their demand of housing security. The marchers assembled at 7:00 a.m. in Sibol in Brgy. Sta Fe then arrived at the Dasmarinas city hall by 8:00 a.m.
“We ask Mayor Jennifer Barzaga to heed the demands of her constituents. Affordable and decent housing is a right that the government should guarantee. We hope that the call of these hundreds of residents of Dasmarinas does not fall on deaf ears,” stated Ramil Cangayao, chairperson of the Cavite chapter of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
The marchers had filed a request for an appointment today with Mayor Barzaga but did not receive a confirmation. The marchers came from residents of City Homes and also the community of Sibol.
The residents of City Homes are facing foreclosure due to the heavy debts incurred when their housing loans were transferred from government-owned National Home Mortgage Financing Corp. to a private financing firm. “Residents of City Homes are now saddled with debts that are more than the market value of their houses due to usurious interest and penalties. The transfer happened without the knowledge of the residents. It is like they were ambushed and now they risk losing their homes which they have partially paid for with hard-earned savings,” Cangayao explained.
Meanwhile the informal settlers of the depressed area of Sibol are asking the local government to expropriate the private land on which their houses are built. Cangayao said that “The city of Dasmarinas has the power to expropriate for the purpose of socialized housing through an ordinance. We are calling on Mayor Barzaga and the city council for the ordinance and budget appropriation in the interest of hundreds of families who have lived in Sibol for years already.”
The march comes on the heels of a protest last March 7 by old tenants in the nearby town of GMA, Cavite due to the threat of a demolition by the local government. The picket at the weekly flag ceremony in the GMA municipal hall caught the attention of some councilors who promised to look in the demand for decent relocation.
PM together with Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino and Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite have been campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures. The groups are involved in the consultations being held by the cabinet level task force headed by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo with the mandate to formulate and recommend policy resolutions on the housing issues confronting the urban poor.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Hundreds of PALEA members rally for start of CBA negotiations
Press Release
March 14, 2011
PALEA
As the second conciliation conference was being held, some 300 members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) picketed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) this morning and called on it to order Philippine Airlines (PAL) to start negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
The last conciliation meeting was fruitless with PAL adamant in refusing to negotiate until after a decision on the outsourcing plan. Last March 7 PALEA filed a notice of strike on the basis of unfair labor practice due to PAL’s refusal to bargain.
“The DOLE must uphold the law. It must order PAL to do its legal duty to bargain with PALEA,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and PM vice chair.
The mass action is an intensification of protests by PALEA to push for the start of CBA negotiations. More mass actions are planned in preparation for the holding of the strike to force PAL to open CBA negotiations.
PALEA is calling on its members to prepare for a strike as the means to oblige PAL to observe its duties under the law. “The notice of strike is the first of a series of steps that will lead to a strike at PAL,” Rivera announced.
“Despite the bountiful fruits of production, Lucio Tan as PAL owner refuses to share with his workers through a CBA and plans to squeeze even more profit from employees through contractualization,” declared Rivera in reaction to news that Tan is the second richest Filipino in the Forbes list of billionaires.
Rivera elaborated that “PAL’s argument that it will wait for a ruling on the outsourcing plan is an alibi for a de facto indefinite CBA moratorium. Whatever is the ruling by the Office of the President (OP) on the legality of the outsourcing plan, either the union or management will file a case at the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. This was the declaration both of PAL and PALEA in the last mediation meeting called by Malacanang. The outsourcing plan then cannot be executed pending a final judicial resolution which may take years considering the justice system.”
“The law does not provide for a plan to layoff union officers and members as a reason not to bargain. The CBA negotiation is distinct and separate from the outsourcing plan,” Rivera said in response to PAL’s position that it will only negotiate after the OP has made a ruling on the dispute regarding outsourcing.
March 14, 2011
PALEA
As the second conciliation conference was being held, some 300 members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) picketed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) this morning and called on it to order Philippine Airlines (PAL) to start negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
The last conciliation meeting was fruitless with PAL adamant in refusing to negotiate until after a decision on the outsourcing plan. Last March 7 PALEA filed a notice of strike on the basis of unfair labor practice due to PAL’s refusal to bargain.
“The DOLE must uphold the law. It must order PAL to do its legal duty to bargain with PALEA,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and PM vice chair.
The mass action is an intensification of protests by PALEA to push for the start of CBA negotiations. More mass actions are planned in preparation for the holding of the strike to force PAL to open CBA negotiations.
PALEA is calling on its members to prepare for a strike as the means to oblige PAL to observe its duties under the law. “The notice of strike is the first of a series of steps that will lead to a strike at PAL,” Rivera announced.
“Despite the bountiful fruits of production, Lucio Tan as PAL owner refuses to share with his workers through a CBA and plans to squeeze even more profit from employees through contractualization,” declared Rivera in reaction to news that Tan is the second richest Filipino in the Forbes list of billionaires.
Rivera elaborated that “PAL’s argument that it will wait for a ruling on the outsourcing plan is an alibi for a de facto indefinite CBA moratorium. Whatever is the ruling by the Office of the President (OP) on the legality of the outsourcing plan, either the union or management will file a case at the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. This was the declaration both of PAL and PALEA in the last mediation meeting called by Malacanang. The outsourcing plan then cannot be executed pending a final judicial resolution which may take years considering the justice system.”
“The law does not provide for a plan to layoff union officers and members as a reason not to bargain. The CBA negotiation is distinct and separate from the outsourcing plan,” Rivera said in response to PAL’s position that it will only negotiate after the OP has made a ruling on the dispute regarding outsourcing.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Lucio Tan has become richer due to outsourcing
Press Release
March 11, 2011
PALEA
In reaction to news that Lucio Tan is the second richest Filipino in the Forbes list of billionaires, the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) today said that he has become wealthier by outsourcing and other violations of labor rights. “Despite the bountiful fruits of production, Lucio Tan as owner of Philippine Airlines (PAL) refuses to share with his workers through a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and plans to squeeze even more profit from employees through contractualization,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
In the Forbes list of billionaires, the Lucio Tan family was ranked 512th with a net worth of $2.3 billion, up from its rank of 582nd last year, when its net worth was $1.7 billion. Only the family of Henry Sy was ranked higher with a net worth of $5.8 billion.
“All through the years that PAL was losing, Lucio Tan has been getting richer. His get-rich-quick formula is nothing else but to cheapen labor costs by outsourcing the profitable units of PAL to third-party providers, such as Lufthansa Technik and MacroAsia, in which he has a stake,” Rivera explained.
He added that “But $2.3 billion in not enough for Lucio Tan. The mother of all outsourcing scheme is in the offing, with 2,600 employees to be laidoff and made contractuals in SkyLogistics and SkyKitchen which are owned by Manny Osmena but, as journalist Raissa Robles pointed out in her expose, is just fronting for Lucio Tan. Further PAL wants an indefinite CBA moratorium on top of the 12-year suspension in negotiations. So while PAL workers have not been able to improve their wages and benefits via a new CBA, Lucio Tan’s pockets have been bulging.”
In view of the fruitless conciliation meeting last Tuesday, PALEA called on the Department of Labor and Employment to “enforce the provisions of the Labor Code and order PAL to begin CBA negotiations.”
PALEA also asked the Office of the President (OP), which is hearing the separate case of legality of the outsourcing plan, to “take cognizance of the facts of the case which belie the need for outsourcing and reveal its real intent to bust the union and cheapen labor costs.”
Rivera elaborated that “PAL’s argument that it will wait for a ruling on the outsourcing plan is an alibi for a de facto indefinite CBA moratorium. Whatever is the ruling by the OP on the legality of the outsourcing plan, either the union or management will file a case at the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. This was the declaration both of PAL and PALEA in the last mediation meeting called by Malacanang. The outsourcing plan then cannot be executed pending a final judicial resolution which may take years considering the justice system.” ###
March 11, 2011
PALEA
In reaction to news that Lucio Tan is the second richest Filipino in the Forbes list of billionaires, the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) today said that he has become wealthier by outsourcing and other violations of labor rights. “Despite the bountiful fruits of production, Lucio Tan as owner of Philippine Airlines (PAL) refuses to share with his workers through a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and plans to squeeze even more profit from employees through contractualization,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
In the Forbes list of billionaires, the Lucio Tan family was ranked 512th with a net worth of $2.3 billion, up from its rank of 582nd last year, when its net worth was $1.7 billion. Only the family of Henry Sy was ranked higher with a net worth of $5.8 billion.
“All through the years that PAL was losing, Lucio Tan has been getting richer. His get-rich-quick formula is nothing else but to cheapen labor costs by outsourcing the profitable units of PAL to third-party providers, such as Lufthansa Technik and MacroAsia, in which he has a stake,” Rivera explained.
He added that “But $2.3 billion in not enough for Lucio Tan. The mother of all outsourcing scheme is in the offing, with 2,600 employees to be laidoff and made contractuals in SkyLogistics and SkyKitchen which are owned by Manny Osmena but, as journalist Raissa Robles pointed out in her expose, is just fronting for Lucio Tan. Further PAL wants an indefinite CBA moratorium on top of the 12-year suspension in negotiations. So while PAL workers have not been able to improve their wages and benefits via a new CBA, Lucio Tan’s pockets have been bulging.”
In view of the fruitless conciliation meeting last Tuesday, PALEA called on the Department of Labor and Employment to “enforce the provisions of the Labor Code and order PAL to begin CBA negotiations.”
PALEA also asked the Office of the President (OP), which is hearing the separate case of legality of the outsourcing plan, to “take cognizance of the facts of the case which belie the need for outsourcing and reveal its real intent to bust the union and cheapen labor costs.”
Rivera elaborated that “PAL’s argument that it will wait for a ruling on the outsourcing plan is an alibi for a de facto indefinite CBA moratorium. Whatever is the ruling by the OP on the legality of the outsourcing plan, either the union or management will file a case at the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. This was the declaration both of PAL and PALEA in the last mediation meeting called by Malacanang. The outsourcing plan then cannot be executed pending a final judicial resolution which may take years considering the justice system.” ###
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
PALEA calls on DOLE to order PAL to start CBA negotiations
Press Release
March 9, 2011
PALEA
Some 100 members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) and supporters from the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) picketed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today and called on it to order Philippine Airlines (PAL) to start negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The picket coincided with the conciliation conference called by the DOLE after it received PALEA’s notice of strike last Monday.
“The DOLE must uphold the law. PAL has a legal duty to bargain with PALEA as a sole and exclusive agent,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and PM vice chair.
“The law does not provide for a plan to layoff union officers and members as a reason not to bargain. The CBA negotiation is distinct and separate from the outsourcing plan,” Rivera said in response to PAL’s declaration that it will only negotiate after the Office of the President (OP) has made a ruling on the dispute regarding outsourcing.
PALEA is accusing PAL of wanting a new moratorium on the CBA. “Whatever is the ruling by the OP on the legality of the outsourcing plan, either the union or management will file a case at the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. This was the declaration both of PAL and PALEA in the last mediation meeting called by Malacanang. This means the outsourcing plan cannot be executed pending a final judicial resolution which may take years considering the justice system. In effect PAL wants another CBA moratorium of indefinite period if it will only negotiate after it gets a go signal on the outsourcing and layoff,” argued Rivera.
“PAL is being greedy for refusing to share the bountiful fruits of production to its workers via a CBA,” Rivera insisted. From a $15.1 million third quarter profit on its latest fiscal year, PAL’s first quarter profit was $31.6 million and second quarter profit was $28.2 million for a total net income of $74.9 million. PAL also paid a loan in the amount of $46.5 million in June 2010.
“A de facto indefinite CBA moratorium is worse than the earlier 10-year suspension,” Rivera declared. In 1998 the PAL-PALEA CBA was put on moratorium as a condition for the reopening of the flag carrier and as requirement for its rehabilitation.
He added that “PAL’s reasoning reveals its intention of using the OP to delay indefinitely the CBA negotiations. The outsourcing and layoff plan is thus not only a scheme for contractualization but also a scam for a CBA moratorium.”
PALEA is calling on its members to prepare for a strike as the instrument of last resort to oblige PAL to observe its duties under the law. “The notice of strike is the first of a series of steps that will lead to a strike at PAL. We will of course observe the 15-day cooling off period and the conciliation meetings to be called by the DOLE,” Rivera announced.
March 9, 2011
PALEA
Some 100 members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) and supporters from the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) picketed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today and called on it to order Philippine Airlines (PAL) to start negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The picket coincided with the conciliation conference called by the DOLE after it received PALEA’s notice of strike last Monday.
“The DOLE must uphold the law. PAL has a legal duty to bargain with PALEA as a sole and exclusive agent,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and PM vice chair.
“The law does not provide for a plan to layoff union officers and members as a reason not to bargain. The CBA negotiation is distinct and separate from the outsourcing plan,” Rivera said in response to PAL’s declaration that it will only negotiate after the Office of the President (OP) has made a ruling on the dispute regarding outsourcing.
PALEA is accusing PAL of wanting a new moratorium on the CBA. “Whatever is the ruling by the OP on the legality of the outsourcing plan, either the union or management will file a case at the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. This was the declaration both of PAL and PALEA in the last mediation meeting called by Malacanang. This means the outsourcing plan cannot be executed pending a final judicial resolution which may take years considering the justice system. In effect PAL wants another CBA moratorium of indefinite period if it will only negotiate after it gets a go signal on the outsourcing and layoff,” argued Rivera.
“PAL is being greedy for refusing to share the bountiful fruits of production to its workers via a CBA,” Rivera insisted. From a $15.1 million third quarter profit on its latest fiscal year, PAL’s first quarter profit was $31.6 million and second quarter profit was $28.2 million for a total net income of $74.9 million. PAL also paid a loan in the amount of $46.5 million in June 2010.
“A de facto indefinite CBA moratorium is worse than the earlier 10-year suspension,” Rivera declared. In 1998 the PAL-PALEA CBA was put on moratorium as a condition for the reopening of the flag carrier and as requirement for its rehabilitation.
He added that “PAL’s reasoning reveals its intention of using the OP to delay indefinitely the CBA negotiations. The outsourcing and layoff plan is thus not only a scheme for contractualization but also a scam for a CBA moratorium.”
PALEA is calling on its members to prepare for a strike as the instrument of last resort to oblige PAL to observe its duties under the law. “The notice of strike is the first of a series of steps that will lead to a strike at PAL. We will of course observe the 15-day cooling off period and the conciliation meetings to be called by the DOLE,” Rivera announced.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
PALEA: PAL wants new indefinite CBA moratorium
Press Release
March 8, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) accused Philippine Airlines (PAL) of wanting a new moratorium on the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This was PALEA’s response to PAL’s argument that it will only start CBA negotiations after a decision on its planned outsourcing has been rendered by the Office of the President (OP).
“Whatever is the ruling by the OP on the legality of the outsourcing plan, either the union or management will file a case at the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. This was the declaration both of PAL and PALEA in the last mediation meeting called by Malacanang. The outsourcing plan then cannot be executed pending a final judicial resolution which may take years considering the justice system. In effect PAL wants another CBA moratorium of indefinite period if it will only negotiate after it gets a go signal on the outsourcing and layoff,” argued Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
“A de facto indefinite CBA moratorium is worse than the earlier 10-year suspension,” Rivera declared. In 1998 the PAL-PALEA CBA was put on moratorium as a condition for the reopening of the flag carrier and as requirement for its rehabilitation.
He added that “PAL reasoning reveals its intention of using the OP to delay indefinitely the CBA negotiations. The outsourcing and layoff plan is thus not only a scheme for contractualization but also a scam for a CBA moratorium.”
PALEA is insisting that the CBA negotiation is distinct and separate from the outsourcing plan. “The law does not provide for a plan to layoff union officers and members as a legitimate reason not to bargain. An employer has a legal duty to bargain with a certified sole and exclusive agent such as PALEA,” Rivera elaborated.
PALEA is calling on its members to prepare for a strike as the instrument of last resort to oblige PAL to observe its duties under the law. “The notice of strike is the first of a series of steps that will lead to a strike at PAL. We will of course observe the 15-day cooling off period and the conciliation meetings to be called by the Department of Labor and Employment,” Rivera announced.
The militant PM meanwhile declared its support for PALEA’s fight for a new CBA and its preparation for a strike. “The labor movement stands united behind PALEA’s struggle not just for security of tenure but the right to collective bargaining. It is in the interest of all workers that PAL employees enjoy regular jobs and the protection of a CBA,” stated Renato Magtubo, PM chair.
March 8, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) accused Philippine Airlines (PAL) of wanting a new moratorium on the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This was PALEA’s response to PAL’s argument that it will only start CBA negotiations after a decision on its planned outsourcing has been rendered by the Office of the President (OP).
“Whatever is the ruling by the OP on the legality of the outsourcing plan, either the union or management will file a case at the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. This was the declaration both of PAL and PALEA in the last mediation meeting called by Malacanang. The outsourcing plan then cannot be executed pending a final judicial resolution which may take years considering the justice system. In effect PAL wants another CBA moratorium of indefinite period if it will only negotiate after it gets a go signal on the outsourcing and layoff,” argued Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
“A de facto indefinite CBA moratorium is worse than the earlier 10-year suspension,” Rivera declared. In 1998 the PAL-PALEA CBA was put on moratorium as a condition for the reopening of the flag carrier and as requirement for its rehabilitation.
He added that “PAL reasoning reveals its intention of using the OP to delay indefinitely the CBA negotiations. The outsourcing and layoff plan is thus not only a scheme for contractualization but also a scam for a CBA moratorium.”
PALEA is insisting that the CBA negotiation is distinct and separate from the outsourcing plan. “The law does not provide for a plan to layoff union officers and members as a legitimate reason not to bargain. An employer has a legal duty to bargain with a certified sole and exclusive agent such as PALEA,” Rivera elaborated.
PALEA is calling on its members to prepare for a strike as the instrument of last resort to oblige PAL to observe its duties under the law. “The notice of strike is the first of a series of steps that will lead to a strike at PAL. We will of course observe the 15-day cooling off period and the conciliation meetings to be called by the Department of Labor and Employment,” Rivera announced.
The militant PM meanwhile declared its support for PALEA’s fight for a new CBA and its preparation for a strike. “The labor movement stands united behind PALEA’s struggle not just for security of tenure but the right to collective bargaining. It is in the interest of all workers that PAL employees enjoy regular jobs and the protection of a CBA,” stated Renato Magtubo, PM chair.
Big push for RH on Women’s Day led by Partido ng Manggagawa and RHAN
PRESS RELEASE
8 March 2011
Women members of the Partido ng Manggagawa together with various women’s groups from the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) held a march with around six thousand women to celebrate the 100th year of International Women’s Day by highlighting their support for the RH bill.
With the theme “Marching for RH, Marching for Life!,” Partido ng Manggagawa and RHAN assembled at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City at 1:00 in the afternoon. At 1:30 pm the group marched from the CHR to the House of Representatives, with other women’s groups that gathered in front of St. Peter’s Parish near the Sandiganbayan. A cultural and solidarity program was held at the South Wing gate of the HOR while sponsorship speeches and interpellations were going on. Simultaneously, a contingent from PM and RHAN attended the session at the Senate of the Philippines to support counterpart bill still pending at the Senate Committee on Health and Demography.
“This is a very important occasion for poor and working women suffering the brunt of the absence of a comprehensive reproductive health care program in the country. We are happy that the House of Representatives heard our clamour to immediately start the sponsorship speeches and plenary debate on the RH bill. Totoong urgent ang issues ng pagkamatay ng 11 kababaihan araw-araw, gayon din, ang pagdami ng kabataang kababaihang nabubuntis, 7 out of 10 pregnancies are that of teens,” explained PM Secretary General Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.
“On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, we also raise other issues specifically beneficial to poor and working women such as the absence of a socialized housing program, the passage of a law on security of tenure, a legislated across-the-board increase in wages, and protection for frontline service workers against indignities and harassment. Women, especially poor women, are not only doubly but multiply-burdened and greatly suffer from the lack if not the absence of income, high prices of basic commodities, electricity and water, among others,” added Miranda.
In the morning of Women’s Day, PM joined the Martsa ng Kababaihan which highlighted other issues that burden women such as employment and livelihood, violence against women and children, etc. Women participants marched from Blumentritt to Mendiola.
8 March 2011
Women members of the Partido ng Manggagawa together with various women’s groups from the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) held a march with around six thousand women to celebrate the 100th year of International Women’s Day by highlighting their support for the RH bill.
With the theme “Marching for RH, Marching for Life!,” Partido ng Manggagawa and RHAN assembled at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City at 1:00 in the afternoon. At 1:30 pm the group marched from the CHR to the House of Representatives, with other women’s groups that gathered in front of St. Peter’s Parish near the Sandiganbayan. A cultural and solidarity program was held at the South Wing gate of the HOR while sponsorship speeches and interpellations were going on. Simultaneously, a contingent from PM and RHAN attended the session at the Senate of the Philippines to support counterpart bill still pending at the Senate Committee on Health and Demography.
“This is a very important occasion for poor and working women suffering the brunt of the absence of a comprehensive reproductive health care program in the country. We are happy that the House of Representatives heard our clamour to immediately start the sponsorship speeches and plenary debate on the RH bill. Totoong urgent ang issues ng pagkamatay ng 11 kababaihan araw-araw, gayon din, ang pagdami ng kabataang kababaihang nabubuntis, 7 out of 10 pregnancies are that of teens,” explained PM Secretary General Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.
“On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, we also raise other issues specifically beneficial to poor and working women such as the absence of a socialized housing program, the passage of a law on security of tenure, a legislated across-the-board increase in wages, and protection for frontline service workers against indignities and harassment. Women, especially poor women, are not only doubly but multiply-burdened and greatly suffer from the lack if not the absence of income, high prices of basic commodities, electricity and water, among others,” added Miranda.
In the morning of Women’s Day, PM joined the Martsa ng Kababaihan which highlighted other issues that burden women such as employment and livelihood, violence against women and children, etc. Women participants marched from Blumentritt to Mendiola.
Monday, March 7, 2011
PALEA files notice of strike anew on PAL’s refusal to bargain
March 7, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) today filed another notice of strike (NOS) on the basis of unfair labor practice as Philippine Airlines (PAL) refuses to bargain with the ground crew union. At 10:35 a.m. PALEA’s NOS was submitted to the Department of Labor and Employment and was docketed as NCMB NCR 03-018-11.
“It has been six months since PALEA submitted its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) proposal to PAL. Moreover it has been 12 years since the CBA moratorium that should have lasted only ten years. PAL’s workers have suffered all through that time as we have not been able to improve our wages, benefits and working conditions. Management is engaging in unfair labor practice for refusing to bargain with PALEA as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.
In October 8, 2010 PALEA submitted its CBA proposal to management which was received by no less than PAL President Jaime Bautista. It was in 1998 when the PAL-PALEA CBA was put on moratorium as a condition for the reopening of the flag carrier and as requirement for its rehabilitation. PAL however successfully got out of rehabilitation in 2007 ahead of schedule.
“PAL is evidently guilty of bad faith for backtracking on the talks for a new CBA. As late as January 27, PAL President Jimmy Bautista asked in a labor-management consultative council meeting that PALEA submits its panel of negotiators for the CBA talks, which we promptly did on January 31. But then PAL made an abrupt turnaround and in a February 16 letter to PALEA, announced that they will only start CBA negotiations after they implement the outsourcing plan which remains suspended as per the assumption of jurisdiction by the Office of the President,” Rivera explained.
He argued that “PAL however cannot arbitrarily refuse to bargain with PALEA now and insist that it will only hold CBA negotiations later. The CBA negotiations and the assailed outsourcing plan and are two separate issues. PAL has a duty to bargain as provided for in the Labor Code and it is illegal to refuse to because of an impending plan to layoff union officers and members. The right to collective bargaining is moreover enshrined in the Constitution and protected by the International Labor Organization’s Convention 98.”
Further PALEA slammed PAL’s refusal to bargain and intransigence on the outsourcing plan as “immoral and greedy” given the company’s profitability. Aside from a $15.1 million third quarter profit on its latest fiscal year, PAL’s first quarter profit was $31.6 million and second quarter profit was $28.2 million for a total net income of $74.9 million. PAL also paid a loan in the amount of $46.5 million in June 2010.
Old tenants in GMA, Cavite protest planned demolition
Press Release
March 7, 2011
Old tenants living in Poblacion 1 in the town of GMA, Cavite protested the planned demolition of their homes during the weekly flag ceremony at the municipal hall. They are asking GMA Mayor Leonisa Joana "Ona" Virata for a dialogue concerning their demands.
Some 80 families who are members of the Poblacion Neighborhood Family Association (Pobnefa) are claiming their right to security of housing since they have been living in the area since the 1990’s. Pobnefa together with Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) and the Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite (Sanagca) are also asserting the moratorium on demolitions ordered by the DILG in view of ongoing consultations on a solution to the housing problem.
“While the old tenants do not have a piece of paper that serves as title to the land, they have been living in the area for almost two decades now. The land is owned by the National Housing Authority and the agency has allowed the municipal government to utilize the land. Since this is public land, we are asking Mayor Virata to dialogue with the residents and heed their demands,” explained Ramil Cangayao, PM-Cavite chairperson.
He added that “We hope that Mayor Virata will not forcibly demolish the home of the old tenants. In the first place, there is a de facto moratorium on demolitions as per instructions of the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.”
Cangayao was referring to the cabinet level task force headed by Robredo with the mandate to formulate and recommend policy resolutions on the housing issues confronting the urban poor. During the pendency of the consultations with the urban poor on the policy recommendations, a moratorium will take effect. It was on this basis that the demolition in San Juan, Metro Manila ordered by the city government was stopped a month ago by Robredo himself.
PM, AMP and Sanagca also announced that on March 15 some 500 urban poor residents in Dasmarinas, Cavite will march for the same demand of right to security of housing. The marchers will be composed of residents who are pushing for awarding by the NHA of land titles to long-time residents and also low-cost housing homeowners who face foreclosures.
PM has been campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures in the context of the economic crisis besetting the workers and the poor.
March 7, 2011
Old tenants living in Poblacion 1 in the town of GMA, Cavite protested the planned demolition of their homes during the weekly flag ceremony at the municipal hall. They are asking GMA Mayor Leonisa Joana "Ona" Virata for a dialogue concerning their demands.
Some 80 families who are members of the Poblacion Neighborhood Family Association (Pobnefa) are claiming their right to security of housing since they have been living in the area since the 1990’s. Pobnefa together with Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) and the Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite (Sanagca) are also asserting the moratorium on demolitions ordered by the DILG in view of ongoing consultations on a solution to the housing problem.
“While the old tenants do not have a piece of paper that serves as title to the land, they have been living in the area for almost two decades now. The land is owned by the National Housing Authority and the agency has allowed the municipal government to utilize the land. Since this is public land, we are asking Mayor Virata to dialogue with the residents and heed their demands,” explained Ramil Cangayao, PM-Cavite chairperson.
He added that “We hope that Mayor Virata will not forcibly demolish the home of the old tenants. In the first place, there is a de facto moratorium on demolitions as per instructions of the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.”
Cangayao was referring to the cabinet level task force headed by Robredo with the mandate to formulate and recommend policy resolutions on the housing issues confronting the urban poor. During the pendency of the consultations with the urban poor on the policy recommendations, a moratorium will take effect. It was on this basis that the demolition in San Juan, Metro Manila ordered by the city government was stopped a month ago by Robredo himself.
PM, AMP and Sanagca also announced that on March 15 some 500 urban poor residents in Dasmarinas, Cavite will march for the same demand of right to security of housing. The marchers will be composed of residents who are pushing for awarding by the NHA of land titles to long-time residents and also low-cost housing homeowners who face foreclosures.
PM has been campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures in the context of the economic crisis besetting the workers and the poor.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Women workers hold noise barrage for RH bill
PRESS RELEASE
4 March 2011
Women members of the Partido ng Manggagawa held a noise barrage for the RH bill bringing with them makeshift air-conditioners, bags of ice and folding fans in response to the cancellation of sessions at the House of Representatives since Tuesday.
“Women workers have brought whatever air-conditioning amenities that members of the House of Representatives need just so the plenary debates on RH can proceed. This symbolizes the exigency of the bill’s passage given that eleven (11) poor women, including teenagers, are dying every day from pregnancy and birth delivery complications,” explained PM Secretary General Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.
From a leaders assembly of women workers at the Department of Agriculture AIT Building in the morning, PM members marched to Philcoa for the noise barrage at 1:00pm. In preparation for the Women’s Day commemoration, the assembly discussed pressing concerns of women workers’ such as the RH bill, the security of tenure bill and the plight of migrant workers.
“We are deeply concerned with the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy. The Philippines, according to the World Bank, is among the Top 10 countries where there are an increasing number of teenage mothers (3.6 million). Seven out of every 10 women who are pregnant are teenagers. More often than not, these teenagers come from poor and working class families. We could just imagine how difficult life would be for these young women,” added Miranda.
PM believes that through age-appropriate sexuality and reproductive health education, young women especially, will learn the risks of early pregnancy and, thus, try to avoid unsound sexual decisions. “It is really important that the State provide the necessary preparation for teenagers to cope with puberty and sexual development through sex education,” stressed Miranda.
On March 8, hundreds of PM members including the youth will assemble by 1:00 at St. Peter’s Cathedral along Commonwealth Ave. then march on to Batasang Pambansa for the big rally in support of the RH bill.
4 March 2011
Women members of the Partido ng Manggagawa held a noise barrage for the RH bill bringing with them makeshift air-conditioners, bags of ice and folding fans in response to the cancellation of sessions at the House of Representatives since Tuesday.
“Women workers have brought whatever air-conditioning amenities that members of the House of Representatives need just so the plenary debates on RH can proceed. This symbolizes the exigency of the bill’s passage given that eleven (11) poor women, including teenagers, are dying every day from pregnancy and birth delivery complications,” explained PM Secretary General Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.
From a leaders assembly of women workers at the Department of Agriculture AIT Building in the morning, PM members marched to Philcoa for the noise barrage at 1:00pm. In preparation for the Women’s Day commemoration, the assembly discussed pressing concerns of women workers’ such as the RH bill, the security of tenure bill and the plight of migrant workers.
“We are deeply concerned with the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy. The Philippines, according to the World Bank, is among the Top 10 countries where there are an increasing number of teenage mothers (3.6 million). Seven out of every 10 women who are pregnant are teenagers. More often than not, these teenagers come from poor and working class families. We could just imagine how difficult life would be for these young women,” added Miranda.
PM believes that through age-appropriate sexuality and reproductive health education, young women especially, will learn the risks of early pregnancy and, thus, try to avoid unsound sexual decisions. “It is really important that the State provide the necessary preparation for teenagers to cope with puberty and sexual development through sex education,” stressed Miranda.
On March 8, hundreds of PM members including the youth will assemble by 1:00 at St. Peter’s Cathedral along Commonwealth Ave. then march on to Batasang Pambansa for the big rally in support of the RH bill.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
PALEA welcomes Ethics Committee finding on “menopausal bitch” case
March 3, 2011
PALEA
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) welcomed the House Ethics Committee’s approval of the case against Rep. Eulogio Magsaysay for grave slander, serious misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a high ranking public official and direct solicitation of personal favor or gain using his office. Last Tuesday the Ethics Committee as a whole found the PALEA complaint against Magsaysay as sufficient in form and substance. The case is now assigned to the Subcommittee on Ethics for investigation headed by Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan.
“This is a welcome gift for the coming International Women’s Day. PALEA and Sarah Bonnin-Ocampo appreciates the House Ethics Committee for its forthright decision. We call on the Subcommittee to act with dispatch and justice on the complaint. Magsaysay may not lose his seat in the House unlike Singson and Ecleo but he nonetheless deserves punishment for his misdeed,” stated Ginalyn Licayan, PALEA Women’s Committee head.
Last January 17 PALEA and Ocampo filed the case against Magsaysay at the House Committees on Ethics and Privileges. On 17 December last year, while on duty, Magsaysay shouted “menopausal bitch” and “bitch” several times to Ocampo after being told that she does not have to the power to change seating arrangements in the business class as per his request.
In preparation for the Women’s Day commemoration, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and PALEA Women’s Committee will be holding a leaders assembly tomorrow to discuss the pressing concerns of women workers such as Ocampo’s case, the RH bill, the security of tenure bill and plight of migrant workers. They will then have a noise barrage by 1:00 pm at Philcoa. On March 8, hundreds of PM members will assemble by 1:00 at St. Peter’s Cathedral along Commonwealth Ave. then march on to Batasang Pambansa for the big RH bill.
“We wish that Sarah’s fight for justice will blaze a trail in the struggle for workers’ dignity. Service workers in the airline industry and call centers among others suffer indignities in the workplace through no fault of their own but receive no protection from their employers or the government. There are many more Sarahs who need support and protection against abusive officials and insensitive customers,” explained Judy Ann Miranda, secretary general of PM which has been supporting PALEA in its compliant.
“The Ethics Committee recognition of our complaint is already an initial gain as is PAL management’s announcement that it will look into proposals to protect its frontline service workers from indignities and harassment,” Licayan asserted. ###
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Labor party criticizes government’s unpreparedness as OFW's repatriated
PRESS RELEASE
2 March 2011
Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) criticizes government’s lack of better employment programs in anticipation of events that will result to more unemployment such as the on-going civil strife in Libya, Egypt, and Bahrain, among others in the Middle East and Northern Africa.
“We are well aware that the most important task of the government at this point is to ensure the safe return of OFWs from Libya and other host countries. However, it should be preparing, at the same time, alternative programs to also make sure that the families of these OFWs will not add up to the growing statistics of hunger in the country. Actually this is something that it should done a long time ago.” said PM General Secretary Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.
“After remitting around US$18 for 2010 and keeping our economy afloat for many years, our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deserve more than a P10,000 grant, an “assistance package” that has no clear description yet, and an OWWA cap. An unemployment program for at least six months would be better than palliatives being offered by DOLE. We believe that our OFWs should be the ones to benefit from the billions that OWWA has been bragging about – pera naman ito na galing sa pawis at dugo ng mga manggagawang nagsasakripisyo sa ibang bansa, sa kanila natin ito gastusin.” added Miranda.
Miranda spoke about the difficulties OFWs are trying endure while working abroad, especially women OFWs whose work are more vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse. “Lalo na ngayong Women’s Month, dapat lang hindi puro lip service ang makuha ng ating mga kababaihang OFWs. Kadalasan kasi, kung kailan ora de peligro saka pa lang kumikilos ang gobyerno – para lang masabi na may ginagawa sila.”
The plight of OFWs, the general problem of unemployment, low wages, and health are some of the issues the Partido ng Manggagawa will be pushing forward with the upcoming celebration of International Women’s on March 8.
2 March 2011
Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) criticizes government’s lack of better employment programs in anticipation of events that will result to more unemployment such as the on-going civil strife in Libya, Egypt, and Bahrain, among others in the Middle East and Northern Africa.
“We are well aware that the most important task of the government at this point is to ensure the safe return of OFWs from Libya and other host countries. However, it should be preparing, at the same time, alternative programs to also make sure that the families of these OFWs will not add up to the growing statistics of hunger in the country. Actually this is something that it should done a long time ago.” said PM General Secretary Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.
“After remitting around US$18 for 2010 and keeping our economy afloat for many years, our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deserve more than a P10,000 grant, an “assistance package” that has no clear description yet, and an OWWA cap. An unemployment program for at least six months would be better than palliatives being offered by DOLE. We believe that our OFWs should be the ones to benefit from the billions that OWWA has been bragging about – pera naman ito na galing sa pawis at dugo ng mga manggagawang nagsasakripisyo sa ibang bansa, sa kanila natin ito gastusin.” added Miranda.
Miranda spoke about the difficulties OFWs are trying endure while working abroad, especially women OFWs whose work are more vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse. “Lalo na ngayong Women’s Month, dapat lang hindi puro lip service ang makuha ng ating mga kababaihang OFWs. Kadalasan kasi, kung kailan ora de peligro saka pa lang kumikilos ang gobyerno – para lang masabi na may ginagawa sila.”
The plight of OFWs, the general problem of unemployment, low wages, and health are some of the issues the Partido ng Manggagawa will be pushing forward with the upcoming celebration of International Women’s on March 8.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
PM troops to Congress for start of plenary debate on RH
PRESS RELEASE
1 March 2011
Members of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) together with other women groups trooped to the House of Representatives to support pro-RH congressmen and congresswomen as the plenary debate on RH starts today. Hundreds of women and men from Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and different women’s groups occupied a portion of the House session hall gallery to show their unrelenting support to the bill.
“As leaders of the Catholic Church hierarchy continue to put pressure on our legislatures, poor and working women, on the other hand, shall be their pillar of support until the RH bill is enacted,” said PM Secretary General Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.
PM also condemned the issuance of an ordinance by officials of Barangay Ayala Alabang against the sale of condoms while it welcomed the position of the Muntinlupa City council that in its review of the barangay ordinance said that it might be violation of the law and guidelines of the Department of Health.
“The officials of Barangay Ayala Alabang are obviously being dogmatic while the Muntinlupa city councillors are being prudent in their positions. The exclusive subdivisions of Ayala Alabang may put as high a wall to prevent poor people from peering but they cannot setup its own rules in contradiction with the laws of the country,” explained Miranda.
Miranda added that, “The passage of the RH bill has long been overdue by more than a decade and Filipino women are dying all through the years. The Catholic Church’s doctrine and misinformation on reliable modern artificial contraceptives did not prove effective in preventing these deaths – family planning, skilled birth attendants, and basic and emergency obstetric care are. We sincerely hope that the bishops and priests will equally value women’s lives.”
“Kung maipapasa ang RH bill sa House ngayong Marso, napakagandang regalo ito sa kababaihan since we are celebrating the 100th year of International Women’s Day this year,“ asserted Miranda.
On March 4, PM will hold a big assembly of women workers on the RH bill and other working women issues in preparation for the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. PM will commemorate Women’s Day with rallies at the Senate and House and Representatives to lobby for the RH bill. Women groups and PM promised to mobilize daily if necessary to show that the RH bill does not only have the number inside the halls of Congress but also in the gallery and at the gates of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. ###
1 March 2011
Members of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) together with other women groups trooped to the House of Representatives to support pro-RH congressmen and congresswomen as the plenary debate on RH starts today. Hundreds of women and men from Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and different women’s groups occupied a portion of the House session hall gallery to show their unrelenting support to the bill.
“As leaders of the Catholic Church hierarchy continue to put pressure on our legislatures, poor and working women, on the other hand, shall be their pillar of support until the RH bill is enacted,” said PM Secretary General Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.
PM also condemned the issuance of an ordinance by officials of Barangay Ayala Alabang against the sale of condoms while it welcomed the position of the Muntinlupa City council that in its review of the barangay ordinance said that it might be violation of the law and guidelines of the Department of Health.
“The officials of Barangay Ayala Alabang are obviously being dogmatic while the Muntinlupa city councillors are being prudent in their positions. The exclusive subdivisions of Ayala Alabang may put as high a wall to prevent poor people from peering but they cannot setup its own rules in contradiction with the laws of the country,” explained Miranda.
Miranda added that, “The passage of the RH bill has long been overdue by more than a decade and Filipino women are dying all through the years. The Catholic Church’s doctrine and misinformation on reliable modern artificial contraceptives did not prove effective in preventing these deaths – family planning, skilled birth attendants, and basic and emergency obstetric care are. We sincerely hope that the bishops and priests will equally value women’s lives.”
“Kung maipapasa ang RH bill sa House ngayong Marso, napakagandang regalo ito sa kababaihan since we are celebrating the 100th year of International Women’s Day this year,“ asserted Miranda.
On March 4, PM will hold a big assembly of women workers on the RH bill and other working women issues in preparation for the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. PM will commemorate Women’s Day with rallies at the Senate and House and Representatives to lobby for the RH bill. Women groups and PM promised to mobilize daily if necessary to show that the RH bill does not only have the number inside the halls of Congress but also in the gallery and at the gates of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. ###
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)