PALEA, PM picket Qantas office, Oz embassy in support of Qantas workers

Press Release

October 31, 2011

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) picketed the Qantas office and Australian embassy in a show of solidarity for the embattled workers of the Australian flag carrier. “We extend the hand of solidarity to our brothers and sisters who are for fighting for job security, decent pay and better working conditions. The struggles they are waging mirror the same demands that we are currently fighting for at PAL,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and PM vice chair.

Some 50 members of PALEA and PM held picketed the Qantas office at a building in Paseo de Roxas in Legaspi Village, Makati by 11:00 a.m. After holding a short program and chanting slogans in support of Qantas workers, the group then proceeded to the Australian embassy in the RCBC Plaza along

Ayala Ave.

“Ang laban ng Qantas ay laban ng PALEA. We are all Qantas workers,” the protesters shouted. Rivera explained that “PALEA condemns the drive by Qantas to slash labor costs, undercut labor standards and weaken job security, all in the name of competitiveness. This is a mere myth as Qantas top management has taken salary hikes while forcing sacrifices on workers.”

Meanwhile PALEA dismissed a PAL announcement that it is readying charges against people who blocked a catering truck from leaving the In-Flight Center (IFC). “It is PAL’s habit to threaten its workers in a futile effort at intimidation. They threatened administrative cases against employees for joining mass actions and they said they will file an illegal strike charge but none come of it. But this time, the threat is also a means for PAL to divert attention from its culpability in the violent daybreak attack on the PALEA protest camp which led to the death of one bystander and injuries to seven of our members. PAL’s best defense is offense,” Rivera insisted.

He added that “PAL could only invent the lamest excuse—that PALEA foisted the attack on its own campout. Unfortunately for PAL and its outsourced goons-provider, one of the attackers was caught and gave some damning admission. But the bigger question that people should ask is this: Why does PAL want the IFC to operate when it has declared that the airport services, call center reservations and catering departments have been closed? If Sky Kitchen and Sky Logistics need the IFC then these are illegal labor-only contractors not independent service providers.”

PALEA and PM also criticized the Australian labor court called Fair Work Australia (FWA) for “surrendering to the lockout blackmail of Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.” In a ruling, the FWA lifted the lockout but also stopped strikes by the three Qantas unions. “Workers now have 21 days within which to negotiate with the hardline Qantas management without the leverage of strike action. In the face of intransigence by Qantas, only industrial action can force employers to heed the demands of workers,” Rivera argued.

 The Qantas union Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) had expressed solidarity for PALEA after some 2,400 its members were retrenched as part of a controversial outsourcing scheme that has been slammed as “a bid to demolish job security and also bust the union.”

PAL hiding behind ghost “goons-provider” to evade culpability – PM

PRESS RELEASE

30 October 2011

The labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) accuses the Philippine Airlines (PAL) management of hiding behind the ghost of a “goons-provider” it hired to free itself of any responsibility from the expected violent outcome  of its planned clearing operation of PALEA’s protest camp.

PM’s accusation came after PAL denied any involvement from the goons’ Saturday attack on PALEA’s protest camp which resulted to the death of one bystander and physical injuries to at least eight PALEA members who valiantly defended the camp.

The labor group had been supporting PALEA in their fight against mass layoff and contractualization.  It likewise accused PAL owner Lucio Tan, whom it denounces as the real economic saboteur, of using his money and influence in getting favorable decisions from all branches of government.

“The Saturday attack was well planned from the recruitment stage to the actual dispersal operations.  Of course the bright minds of Estelito Mendoza won’t allow PAL President Jaime Bautista to do the actual recruitment of thugs from depressed communities.  Like the service providers that were contracted out by PAL to replace its regular workers, the formation of a demolition team to break PALEA’s camp-out was likewise outsourced to a qualified goons-provider,” stated PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda.

Miranda disclosed that PALEA had in fact been informed by a reliable source of the possible attack, prompting the union to file a blotter at a nearby police station informing the authorities of an imminent danger, a day before the actual attack happened. (See attached copy of the blotter).

“Paid and armed with obviously supplied batons and security shields, goons did strike on Saturday.  And according to witness accounts, they were being commanded by a security personnel inside a van parked along the MIA road,” said Miranda.

Miranda added, “PAL was very quick to distance itself from the incident upon learning of the bungled expedition by the goons-provider.  It even blamed PALEA for a security guard’s own fault of trying to use a fire extinguisher against the protesters just to conceal its behind the scene involvement in the whole operation.”

PAL, Miranda said, should not be allowed to evade culpability from the injuries suffered by PALEA members, as well as to the death of a bystander who suffered a heart attack in the midst of the melee.

The labor group called on all concerned government agencies to conduct thorough and impartial investigations of the incident.

PALEA decries PAL’s harassment of protest camp

Press Release

October 30, 2011

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) decried the management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) for its continuing harassment of the protest camp outside the In-Flight Center (IFC) along

MIA Road

. “Two weeks before yesterday’s daybreak attack on the PALEA campout, PAL management started engaging in dirty tricks to harass the hundreds of members staying at the camp. It began with putting containers of rotting food along the gates and walls adjacent to the campout. Then early this week, loud music was blasted from speakers inside the IFC towards the protest camp,” Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa revealed.

Rivera also slammed PAL for refusing to fly PALEA members who have already been issued tickets as part of their employee benefits before they were retrenched. “We have a member who flew to the US a week ago on a trip pass benefit but we have received a report that PAL is refusing to honor her return trip unless she signs up for the service provider. We are now consulting with our lawyers since PAL is possibly in violation of its commercial obligations under the law.” he explained.

“This petty persecution also reveals PAL’s desperate need for the skilled work of PALEA members even as it puts up a brave front that flights are normalizing under the untrained and overworked scabs now running its operations. Woe to PAL that there are now more ghosts than people riding its planes during the Halloween peak season,” Rivera exclaimed.

Rivera also argued that “Its renewed attempt to disperse PALEA’s campout is exposing PAL’s lies. PAL claims that the 2,400 PALEA members cannot be accepted back to work since the airport services, in-flight catering and call center reservations departments have been closed and outsourced. So how come PAL insists that the IFC which houses the catering department is essential to its operations? This bolsters our contention that Sky Kitchen is an illegal labor-only contractor and thus PAL needs to allow it access to the facilities of the IFC so it can provide catering service.”

PALEA has already complained to the concerned barangay officials. “PAL’s dirty trick against the protest camp is not just endangering the safety and health of PALEA members but also the residents of the nearby community of Baltao. The odious odor, swarm of flies and loud noise are a health hazard to everyone within hundreds of meters. In fact it even imperils PAL’s own security guards who are forced to cover their noses and possibly wear ear plugs as they have no choice but to follow management orders,” Rivera asserted.

PALEA has already rebuilt the tents destroyed in yesterday’s attack by “hired  goons” as confirmed by one the attackers who was caught. “Despite it being the eve of the day the dead, the forces of good overcame the forces of darkness, workers unity defeated corporate greed. As we earlier vowed, PALEA will defend its ‘occupy protest’ camp,” Rivera insisted.

PM condemns PAL for employing hired goons to break PALEA protest camp

PRESS RELEASE

29 October 2011

The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) condemned the daybreak attack carried out today by hired goons believed to be employed by the Philippine Airlines (PAL) to break PALEA’s protest camp. 

At around 5:45 this morning, some 40 hired goons armed with long sticks and led by someone with a handgun entered the back entrance of PALEA’s protest camp while most protesters were still sleeping and started tearing down tents prompting PALEA members to fight back.  The attack was effectively repelled but four (4) PALEA members were hurt during the scuffle and three (3) tents were destroyed.  PALEAns were able to apprehend one of the hired goons who was brought to a nearby police station for appropriate legal action.

“This is the second time that PAL carried out a failed attempt to break PALEA’s picketline.  And we see more attacks coming as PAL desperately wanted the protest camp cleared to show the world that everything is normal at Terminal 2.  Unfortunately Lucio Tan’s failed outsourcing/contractualization scheme can’t be hidden and on the contrary, is getting more indignation from the public,” said  PM secretary general Judy Ann Miranda.

 At 11:00 am, hundreds of PALEA members held an indignation rally against the dispersal attempt. Miranda also scored Malacanang and labor officials for allowing these things to happen as if harassment and intimidation are normal things that can be carried out by owners of capital against labor’s legitimate protest.

“On the eve of Halloween, the bad spirits of greedy corporations are haunting the workers. This is the second time that PAL has attempted to disperse PALEA’s campout but they are getting more brazen,” exclaimed Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and PM vice chair.

“We heard about ‘all out justice’ from PNoy in response to the Basilan hostilities.  But we haven’t heard about ‘labor justice’ in relation to the ongoing class war between PALEA and Lucio Tan.  Was it because in this class war PNoy had taken the side of Lucio Tan?,” lamented Miranda. 

The labor group reiterated its call for President Aquino to cause the reinstatement with full rights of the 2,600 employees locked out by PAL on October 1, 2011.

“There is no ‘all out justice’ without labor justice,” adds Miranda.

PALoween protest

The attack was carried out this morning while PALEAns start their day preparing for their “PALoween Protest”. 

The “PALoween Protest” is their way of celebrating the Halloween season in the protest camp.  After the indignation rally this morning, ‘ghosts’ of regular workers wandered along MIA Road looking for their lost jobs and constitutional rights.  A PALoween program follows inside the protest camp in the afternoon followed by a PALoween music jam in the evening.

The attack on PALEA’s camp out came just hours after a string of solidarity actions for PALEA in three in the United States. US unions and Filipino-American organizations participated in the pickets at the Philippine consulates in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago.

US unions, Fil-Am community stages solidarity actions for PALEA

Press Release

October 28, 2011

PALEA

Labor unions and the Filipino-American community staged a picket at the Philippine consulate and ticketing office of Philippine Airlines (PAL) this morning (noon of October 27 in San Francisco, California) in support of the Philippine Airline Employees’ Association (PALEA). A delegation met Philippine Deputy Consul General Alfonso Ver and submitted a letter of concern to regarding the plight of 2,400 PALEA members who were laid off.

Participants in the picket include leaders and members of the unions IAMAW, San Francisco Labor Council, UNITE-HERE Local 2, and NUHW and representatives from Filipino-American groups such as the Filipino Community Center, NAFCON, Alliance Philippines and Worldwide Filipino Alliance.

Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa, sent a message from the Philippines. He said that “We appreciate the solidarity of our brother and sister unionists in the US and of our kababayans in the Bay Area, especially the support of IAMAW which represents customer service agents of PAL at the San Francisco International Airport. PAL’s outsourcing plan is an example of the corporate greed that has earned the outrage of working people in the America and the world. Organized action by workers is the antidote to the organized greed of corporations.”

Later today (6:30 pm, October 27 in Los Angeles) another picket is to be held at the Philippine consulate in Los Angeles. The solidarity action in LA is led by Filipino-American groups Alliance Philippines, Ecumenical Fellowship for Justice and Peace and Bantay Pilipinas-LA. Tonight (9:00 am, October 28 in Chicago), a similar action at the Philippine consulate in Chicago will be held by UNITE-HERE and UE unions.

The protesters picketed the Philippine consulate and PAL office for an hour and distributed flyers to passersby. Among the points raised by the delegation to Consul General Ver is that in allowing the controversial outsourcing scheme, the Philippine government is possibly in violation of internationally recognized conventions protecting workers’ freedom of association, right to collective bargaining and right to peaceful concerted actions including strikes. They also expressed concern that airline service is deteriorating and passenger safety is put at risk by the untrained and overworked replacement workers who are now operating PAL flights, including the transpacific route which conveys many US nationals.

The solidarity actions in SF and LA coincided with the 30^th day of the mass termination of PAL employees, a PALEA motorcade protest around the Manila International Airport and a call by the Migrant Forum in Asia group for OFW’s to boycott PAL until it heeds the demand of PALEA for workers to return to their regular jobs.

More pictures at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=256402674412155&notif_t=video_comment#!/media/set/?set=a.256360341083055.75680.100001272721169&type=3

And also: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=256402674412155&notif_t=video_comment#!/media/set/?set=a.256365914415831.75681.100001272721169&type=3

Video at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2505795011397

Another video: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=256402674412155&notif_t=video_comment#!/photo.php?v=256402674412155&set=vb.100001272721169&type=2&theater

PALEA holds motorcade on the 30th day of its protest vs. outsourcing

Press Release

October 27, 2011

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) held a motorcade around the Manila International Airport and the offices of Philippine Airlines (PAL) this morning as it entered the 30^th day of what the union claims as an “illegal lockout.” “On the 30^th day of the forcible eviction of protesting PALEA members from the airport and other offices, we remain strong in our resistance to the contractualization plan of PAL. PAL’s outsourcing scheme is a failure as shown by the continuing flight cancellations and delays,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.

The motorcade started at 10:00 a.m today at PALEA’s protest camp outside the In-Flight Center along

MIA Road

and then passed by PAL’s Nichols Gate 1 and 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 2, Terminal 1 and then ended at the PNB Building at

Macapagal Ave.

A program was held at the PNB Building until 12 noon for a lunch break protest with employees there.

PALEA welcomed the support of the Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) who in a press conference yesterday called for OFW’s to boycott PAL until it has heeded the demand of its workers to be accepted back to their regular jobs. MFA members from different parts of Asia attended the Asia Regional Conference on Decent Work for Domestic Workers. Rivera said that “We respect the boycott campaign of migrants and thank them for their support. Hopefully PAL will listen to the voice of its passengers who refuse to patronize a flag carrier of contractualization. PNoy should also stop using the OFW’s as an alibi for his inaction on the labor dispute.” He was referring to President Benigno Aquino’s speech at the FOCAP in which the latter said that he will not intervene on behalf of PALEA since the interests of 10 million OFW’s are a bigger priority.

Also in commemoration of PALEA’s 30^th day of protest against contractualization, solidarity actions were held in San Francisco and Los Angeles by US unions and the Filipino-American community. In San Francisco, the groups picketed the Philippine consulate and PAL ticketing office, and submitted a letter of concern to Deputy Consul General Alfonso Ver.

Among the participants in the picket are the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers which represents PAL customer service agents in the San Francisco International Airport. The delegation raised to Mr. Ver the concern that airline service is deteriorating and passenger safety is put at risk by the untrained and overworked replacement workers who are now operating PAL flights, including the transpacific route which conveys many US nationals.

In Los Angeles, Fil-Am groups Alliance Philippines, Ecumenical Fellowship for Justice and Peace (EFJP) and Bantay Pilipinas-LA led the protest outside the consulate. On October 28, another picket is to be staged at the consulate in Chicago by the UNITE-HERE and UE unions, and the Filipino-American community in Illinois.

In his message to the solidarity actions in the US, Rivera said that “PAL’s outsourcing plan is an example of the corporate greed that has earned the outrage of working people in the America and the world. Organized action by workers is the antidote to the organized greed of corporations.”

PALEA holds “Run for Justice Against Corporate Greed”

Press Release

October 24, 2011

PALEA

Members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) held a “Run for Justice Against Corporate Greed” this morning as part of the groups’ advocacy for regular jobs. “The Run for Justice is also inspired by the movement against corporate greed and capitalist globalization that is sweeping the world,” said Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and PM vice chair.

The groups’ jog for a cause started at Coastal Mall, Pasay City, proceeded along MIA road and ended at the PALEA protest camp out the In-Flight Center (IFC) of Philippine Airlines (PAL). PALEA’s occupation of the perimeter of the IFC has been questioned by PAL but the union has vowed to defend its campout.

Last October 19, a court sheriff accompanied by unidentified men who have been called by PALEA as “hired goons of PAL” attempted to disperse the campout. The resistance of more than a thousand PALEA members forced them to retreat. “Just like PAL, corporate interests have tried to suppress the global protests and disperse the occupations. But the rising of the 99% cannot be stopped by the 1%,” Rivera added.

“Malacanang is just whistling in the dark when it dismisses the threat of widespread protests in the Philippine similar to Occupy Wall Street. The government’s trust in the conditional cash transfer as a means of containing social unrest is misplaced. Only structural reforms addressing the roots causes of poverty can stop the explosion of the social volcano. Already Occupy Wall Street has inspired the joining of forces of PALEA and North Triangle residents who are both fighting corporate interests,” Rivera explained.

A big protest on November 30 is being planned by a convergence of labor, urban poor and farmers groups. Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Manila Auxiliary Bishop and head of the National Secretariat for Social Action of the CBCP, is convening the meetings of the different sectoral groups.

Bishop Pabillo has proposed the formation of a social reform network in view of the rising trend of social discontent among workers, peasants and urban poor. The social reform network plans to engage government in a dialogue to tackle the problems of poverty, unemployment, contractualization, housing, agrarian reform and others.

After All Saints Day, PALEA will hold a “Lakbay-Hustisya” or a long march around Metro Manila in order to bring its campaign against contractualization to the grassroots level. The “Lakbay-Hustisya” will pass by parishes and communities in Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Paranaque and Pasay as part of PALEA’s aim to garner the support of ordinary Filipinos in the fight for regular jobs.

PALEA gets support of Qantas workers, labor groups abroad



UNITE HERE@Phil. Embassy in DC



Handing letter to labor attache

Press Release

October 23, 2011

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) received the support of a Qantas labor union in Australia even as other labor groups abroad are staging solidarity actions. Similar to PALEA, Qantas workers are embroiled in a long-running dispute with management over job security, pay hikes and working conditions. Qantas flights have been disrupted by a series of strikes by Qantas engineers, ground staff and pilots.

“International support will go a long way in sustaining and winning PALEA’s fight,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.

Last Friday, a delegation from UNITE HERE, a union of workers in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, and airport industries in the US and Canada, delivered a letter of concern to the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. The delegation of five from UNITE HERE met Luzviminda Padilla, a labor attaché, who indicated that the letter will be forwarded to Ambassador Jose Cuisia.

The main point raised by UNITE HERE in its letter is that the Philippine government may be in violation of internationally recognized conventions protecting workers freedom of association, right to collective bargaining and right to peaceful concerted actions including strikes. Also brought up by UNITE HERE is the concern that airline service is deteriorating and moreover passenger safety is put at risk by the untrained and overworked replacement workers who are now operating flights of Philippine Airlines (PAL), including the transpacific route which conveys many US nationals.

On October 27, members of labor unions and representatives of the Filipino-American community will picket the Philippine consulate and PAL ticketing office in San Francisco, California. The picket will be led by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers which represents PAL customer agents working in the San Francisco airport. Last October 14, a delegation of Japanese railway workers picketed the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and also submitted a letter of concern regarding PALEA’s plight.

In its message of solidarity, the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA), which represents Qantas engineers, declared that “all ALAEA members stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with PALEA in their ongoing battle and will support them in their fight against unjust treatment. We will also fully support your efforts through the International Transport Workers Federation with the linking of all international affiliates backing your full reinstatement.”

This week PALEA will hold a “Lakbay-Hustisya” or a long march around Metro Manila in order to bring its advocacy against contractualization to the grassroots level. “We will go to parishes and communities in Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Paranaque and Pasay to seek the support of ordinary Filipinos in the fight for regular jobs,” Rivera explained.

In Cebu, thousands join synchronized candle lighting for PALEA

Press Release
October 21, 2011
PALEA / KANAMASU

Emboldened by the unanimously passed resolution supporting PALEA by the NAPC (National Anti-Poverty Commission) in its recently concluded Sectoral Assembly, PALEA and its supporters organized synchronized action in five cities to show support and sympathy to the cause of PALEA.

The synchronized action was joined by thousands of supporters who lighted candles from 5:30pm to 6pm today as a symbolic gesture to enlighten society on the dark times setting on the welfare of all workers with the imminent threat of contractualization of all regular jobs.

Renante Pelino, an employee from Mactan Export Zone (MEZ) participated today’s candle lighting. “I am fed up of being a contractual worker for 8 years with cheap wages, no benefits and without protection from abuses. I identify myself with PALEA. This (contractualization) must end now for  the future not just of my children but of this nation,” Pelino said.

Broad labor coalition KANAMASU or Kahugpungan sa Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Sugbo, the organizer of the said synchronized action have set-up candle lighting center in 5 cities located at the following areas:

·         Lapu – Lapu City --Tamiya Mepz II
·         Infront of GMC – Pajo
·         PALEA Protest Camp, near MCIA Checkpoint
·         Mandaue City - Maguikay Fly over
·         Hiway Seno – Jollibee
·         Cebu City – In front of Sto. Rosario Church  P. Del Rosario St.
·         Gaisano Metro Colon
·         Pier 1 – ALU TUCP
·         Talisay City – Tabunok Fly over
·         Toledo City – Gaisano

Residents of urban poor communities in 5 cities likewise heeded the call for PALEA’s solidarity by lighting candles in front of their houses. Showcase of this is the whole barangay of San Roque in Cebu City wherein their own Barangay Captain will spearhead the candle lighting.

PALEA Board member Tex Bulambot said that “The outpouring of solidarity and sympathy for our fight represents the 99% of the Filipino people. They had spoken loud and clear against contractualization and outsourcing in PAL, PNOY should heed for the 99%, his real boss, instead of the 1% represented by Mr. Lucio Tan.”

PALEA files complaint vs. Pasay judge and sheriff as TRO on picket is denied

Press Release

October 21, 2011

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) filed this morning a complaint at the Supreme Court (SC) against Pasay Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Edwin Ramizo and Sheriff Virgilio Villar for violation of the New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Personnel respectively. PALEA president Gerry Rivera filed the complaint thru a letter addressed to SC Administrator Midas Marquez. Sheriff Villar’s attempt to implement an order from Executive Judge Ramizo led to the scuffles at PALEA’s protest camp last Wednesday.

Also this morning Pasay RTC Judge Maria Rosario Ragasa denied the motion of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to extend the temporary restraining order earlier issued by Executive Judge Ramizo against PALEA’s occupation of the In-Flight Center perimeter. Meanwhile PAL has a pending motion to inhibit against Judge Ragasa that has not been acted upon.

“We thank Judge Ragasa for exercising prudence and integrity in her decision and recognizing PALEA’s right to maintain its peaceful protest at the IFC. Apparently PAL is unable to use its magic on Judge Ragasa so it asking her to inhibit,” Rivera asserted.

Rivera argued that “In its insistence in dismantling PALEA’s campout, PAL is exposing its contradictory claims. PAL says that the 2,400 PALEA members cannot be accepted back to work since the airport services, in-flight catering and call center reservations departments have been closed and outsourced. So how come PAL alleges that the IFC which houses the catering department is essential to its operations. This raises the suspicions that it will allow Sky Kitchen, a supposed separate entity that at present provides substandard catering service according to reports reaching PALEA, access to the facilities of the IFC.”

PALEA’s complaint assailed Executive Judge Ramizo for granting a 72-hour TRO though the case involves a labor dispute and deciding ex-parte or without benefit of a hearing for all the parties concerned despite the lack of extreme urgency. Further PALEA criticizes Executive Judge Ramizo for issuing an order to Sheriff Villar after the case had already been raffled off to Judge Ragasa.

Meanwhile PALEA’s complaint faults Sheriff Villar for implementing the order on Wednesday afternoon despite being confronted with the status quo order of Judge Ragasa that morning. PALEA likewise berates Sheriff Villar for being accompanied and assisted by some 100 unidentified men in the dispersal attempt.

“These men are PAL’s goons who were acting in concert with Sheriff Villar since every time he tried to tear down tents and streamers, the goons moved with him,” Rivera recalled. PALEA has vowed to defend its “occupation” which it has announced to be inspired by the

Occupy Wall Street

protests and part of the global movement against corporate greed and corruption.

PALEA member dies after health benefits terminated

Press Release

October 21, 2011

PALEA 

A member of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) named Antonio Enero died last October 16 of leukemia, some two weeks after he was forced to checked out of the Cardinal Santos hospital since his medical benefits from Philippine Airlines has been terminated together with his employment. “PALEA condoles with the family of Antonio, who is fondly called January by his workmates. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for standing with PALEA in the fight against contractualization at PAL,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.

On the morning of September 30, doctors and nurses at Cardinal Santos told Enero that someone called from PAL’s Human Resources office said that he is already terminated from work and so are his medical benefits, and if they want to continue his medications and confinement, they have to pay on their own and the company will not shoulder the expenses anymore. January then needed 14 anti-biotic shots for 7 days with each shot worth PhP 5,000. Enero is survived by his wife Irene and two children, the youngest is 5 years.

Last Wednesday, more than 1,000 PALEA members attending the union general assembly observed a moment of silence in honor of Enero who was called a “true PALEAN” and a “working class hero.” The tribute for Enero and the “state of the union address” by Rivera was however disrupted by the attempt to disperse the protest camp that day.

Enero had been confined at Cardinal Santos a few days before the September 27 protest by PALEA but when he heard of the events he told his wife that had he been well then he would participating in the mass action. Four days after leaving Cardinal Santos and getting weaker, Enero was confined again, this time at Perpetual Help Las Pinas. His wife Irene was worried about the hospital and medication expenses and told her husband to get the separation offer. Irene recalled that his husband said “Hindi, laban pa rin tayo, mangungutang na lang tayo.”

However burdened with huge medical bills, Enero and his wife Irene later decided to finally avail of the separation pay. Irene got the separation pay on October 15 but Enero died the next day. Irene told Enero’s PALEA friends her belief that had he not been forced to leave Cardinal Santos and instead his antibiotic shots had continued then he would have been with his family for a while longer.

Enero’s remains lied in state at the Filipinas Funeral in Las Pinas for several days until it was transferred to his home province yesterday morning.

99% endorse PALEA resolution at NAPC sectoral assembly

PRESS RELEASE

Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay

20 October 2011

The basic sectors, the 99% of the Filipino people have spoken.  Contractualization as a policy was rejected and they want President Aquino to utilize his powers to cause the reinstatement of 2,600 regular employees locked out by PAL beginning October 1, 2011.

This was the unanimous sentiment of the different sectors that gathered at the National Anti-Poverty Commission’s (NAPC) National Sectoral Assembly held from October 17-19 at different venues in Quezon City.

The Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay (KAMP), a coalition of different sectoral and civil society organizations campaigning for a life of dignity for all, is one of the many groups that attended the sectoral assembly.  KAMP is pushing for the universalization of social protection policies such as decent housing, employment guarantees, healthcare, and other social protection measures for the poor and marginalized sectors. 

KAMP coordinator Wilson Fortaleza, said a resolution, “expressing deep concern on the harmful consequence of outsourcing/contractualization schemes to the exercise of labor rights; and urging President Benigno S. Aquino III, with all his powers to intervene in labor-management disputes vital to national interest, to reinstate with full rights the 2,600 workers locked out by PAL on October 1, 2011”, was unanimously approved, first by the non-government organizations (NGO) sector and later by the women, youth and students, the elderly, and even the children sectors who gathered at the Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City.

A similar resolution was also approved in the formal labor sectoral assembly held at another hotel where workers in the formal, informal, and migrant sectors were gathered.

“Now that the boss had spoken loud on this particular issue of contractualization and outsourcing in PAL, the ball is now on the hands of the President.  Either he is for the 99% or he is for the 1% represented by Mr. Lucio Tan,” said Fortaleza.

The “We are the 99%” slogan popularized by the “

Occupy Wall St.

” protesters, added Fortaleza, is also gaining interest from the basic sectors.

Created under Republic Act 8425, the NAPC institutionalizes the government’s Social Reform Agenda (SRAs), which aim is to strengthen and invigorate the partnership between the national government and the basic sectors.

PALEA resists dispersal, slams PAL for “picket busting”

Press Release

October 20, 2011

PALEA

More than 1,000 members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) successfully resisted the attempt to disperse its protest camp yesterday. “We accuse the management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) of using a sheriff and scores of hired goons to bust PALEA’s peaceful and lawful protest. The dispersal attempt was in clear violation of the status quo order of Pasay RTC Judge Maria Rosario Ragasa yesterday in which PAL agreed to respect the campout,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.

Pasay City Sheriff Virgilio Villar arrived at the PALEA campout at around 3:00 pm yesterday accompanied by some 100 men in white t-shirts or undershirts and blue pants ostensibly to implement an order from Executive Judge Edwin Ramizo of the Pasay RTC. At 4:15 pm, the sheriff and the unidentified men started tearing down streamers at the front of the protest camp but were repulsed by PALEA members. “The sheriff and his goons came back again at 6:00 pm, scuffles broke out but they were finally forced to retreat. All the time, scores of riot police were just a short distance away observing the dispersal attempt,” Rivera explained.

Today the six PALEA members who were sued by PAL for “illegal occupation of the perimeter of PAL’s In-Flight Center (IFC)” submitted their position paper at the sala of Judge Ragasa. PALEA moved for dismissal since the civil courts have no jurisdiction over cases involving or arising out of labor disputes as per Article 254 of the Labor Code. A decision on the case is expected tomorrow.

Rivera argued that “In its insistence in dismantling PALEA’s campout, PAL is exposing its contradictory claims. PAL says that the 2,400 PALEA members cannot be accepted back to work since the airport services, in-flight catering and call center reservations departments have been closed and outsourced. So how come PAL alleges that the IFC which houses the catering department is essential to its operations. This raises the suspicions that it will allow Sky Kitchen, a supposed separate entity that at present provides substandard catering service according to reports reaching PALEA, access to the facilities of the IFC.”

Rivera recalled that the unidentified men came in two groups. One contingent came out of the IFC while another marched down from Terminal 2. When confronted, Sheriff Villar initially admitted that the unidentified men were with him but later denied knowledge of the group. “Nonetheless the circumstances reveal that PAL’s goons were acting in concert with Sheriff Villar’s since every time he attempted to tear down tents and streamers, the goons moved with him,” he detailed.

The thousand-strong ranks of PALEA stayed overnight to guard the camp out. PALEA has vowed to defend its “occupation” which it has announced to be inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protests and part of the global movement against corporate greed and corruption.

PALEA condemns PAL for dispersal of protest camp

Press Release

October 19, 2011

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) condemned the management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) for the attempt to disperse its protest camp despite the status quo order of Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Ma. Rosario Ragaza.

“We denounce in strongest terms PAL management for masterminding the demolition attempt. Sheriff Virgilio Villar and the goons which accompanied him will have to face responsibility for their illegal act today. The power and money of Lucio Tan has influenced the Labor Department, the Office of the President, the Supreme Court and now as clear as day even officers of the court,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.

The sheriff and the goons were forced to retreat in the face of the resistance of some 500 PALEA members at who linked up in arms in defense of the protest camp. Tensions abated by 5:00 pm but scuffles ensued again when the sheriif returned by 6:00 pm. At least one PALEA officer was hurt, and a tent and some streamers were torn down.

A sheriff with police escort arrived at the PALEA campout at past 3:00 pm ostensibly to implement an order from Executive Judge Edwin Ramizo of the Pasay RTC. PALEA leaders confronted them with the status quo order from Judge Ragaza. At 4:15 pm, the sheriff together with scores of goons started tearing down streamers at the front of the protest area and then tried to enter the campout but were blocked by PALEA members. Unable to proceed with the dispersal, at 4:45 pm the sheriff finally started negotiations with PALEA leaders and legal counsel Atty. Marlon Manuel.

“In its insistence in dismantling PALEA’s campout, PAL is exposing its contradictory claims. PAL says that the 2,400 PALEA members cannot be accepted back to work since the airport services, in-flight catering and call center reservations departments have been closed and outsourced. So how come PAL alleges that the IFC which houses the catering department is essential to its operations. This raises the suspicions that it will allow Sky Kitchen, a supposed separate entity that at present provides substandard catering service according to reports reaching PALEA, access to the facilities of the IFC,” Rivera explained.

Meanwhile at the national sectoral assembly of the National Anti-Poverty Summit, the plenary unanimously approved a resolution “expressing deep concern on the harmful consequence of outsourcing/contractualization schemes to the exercise of labor rights; and urging President Aquino, with all his powers to intervene in the labor-management dispute which is vital to the national interest, to reinstate with full rights the 2,600 workers locked out by PAL on October 1, 2011.”

In the hearing today on the case filed by PAL against six PALEA members for obstructing the free ingress and egress at the In-Flight Center (IFC) along MIA Road, Judge Ragaza ruled for a status quo and warned any party against moving against the protest camp.

Pasay judge rules for status quo on PALEA “occupation”

Press Release

October 19, 2011

PALEA

In the hearing today on the case filed by Philippine Airlines (PAL) against six members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) for obstructing the free ingress and egress at the In-Flight Center (IFC) along MIA Road, Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Ma. Rosario Ragaza ruled for a status quo. “In view of this status quo order, PALEA’s peaceful protest camp continues,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.

The result of the hearing however was apparently lost on a Pasay sheriff who came today to the protest camp accompanied by PNP personnel to remind PALEA of the 72-hour temporary restraining order handed down last Monday by another Pasay RTC Judge Edwin Ramizo. No untoward incident transpired as PALEA members apprised the sheriff and the police of the latest developments.

In the hearing at Branch 108 of the Pasay RTC, the six PALEA members moved that the case be dismissed since it involves a labor dispute and as per provisions of the Labor Code is not under the jurisdiction of the civil courts. Tomorrow the parties were asked by Judge Ragaza to submit their position papers and a final decision is expected on Friday.

“In arguing its case against PALEA’s campout, PAL is contradicting itself. PAL says that the 2,400 PALEA members cannot be accepted back to work since the airport services, in-flight catering and call center reservations departments have been closed and outsourced. So how come PAL alleges that the IFC which houses the catering department is essential to its operations. This raises the suspicions that it will allow Sky Kitchen, a supposed separate entity that at present provides substandard catering service according to reports reaching PALEA, access to the facilities of the IFC,” Rivera insisted.

PALEA had declared that it will not abandon the protest camp despite threats from PAL to have it dismantled. The union has also announced that the campout is part of the global movement against corporate greed and corruption inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protests.

“The Occupy Wall Street movement is already in the Philippines despite Malacanang’s dismissive attitude. The experience of PALEA and North Triangle residents shows how this government has fallen captive to corporate interests such as Lucio Tan and the Ayalas. The seeds have been sown by PALEA’s occupation of this part of the airport area. The occupation movement in the country can only grow and bloom in the coming days,” argued Rivera.

Last Monday PALEA and North Triangle residents who are demanding on-site housing and fighting eviction by an Ayala property development firm joined forces in a symbolic occupation of Roxas Boulevard. They were supported by running priest Fr. Robert Reyes and the Freedom from Debt Coalition which has started a campaign to boycott PAL and Air Philippines.

PALEA slams TRO on protest camp

Press Release

October 18, 2011

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) slammed the temporary restraining order granted Philippine Airlines (PAL) for alleged acts of preventing and depriving the flag carrier of its right to operate the In-Flight Center (IFC). Yesterday afternoon PALEA members manning the protest camp outside the IFC received a copy of a 72-hour TRO from the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Edwin B. Ramizo.

“PAL misled the court into issuing a TRO by concealing that the protest camp at the IFC arose out of an ongoing labor dispute. Although Judge Ramizo should have also exercised prudence since the labor row is a matter of public knowledge. Similar to the Supreme Court recall of the flights attendants case, PAL is using the justice system to cause injustice,” insisted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.

PALEA declared that it shall continue to fight PAL’s abuses through the courts and in protests, and defend the rights of its members, including the campout at the IFC which it has declared to be an occupation inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement. “Similar to

Occupy Wall Street

which has fought eviction by the New York City government and police, we will not surrender our occupation of the airport area despite continuing threats of demolition,” Rivera declared.

He revealed that the threat against the peaceful campout and the forcible eviction by protesting PALEA members at Terminal 2 last September 27 will be brought to the attention of Congress. The House Labor Committee holds a hearing this afternoon on the labor row at PAL.

Rivera explained that the regular courts do not have the authority to issue injunction orders in cases originating from labor disputes. He quoted Article 254 of the Labor Code which says: “Injunction prohibited. No temporary or permanent injunction or restraining order in any case involving or growing out of labor disputes shall be issued by any court or other entity, except as otherwise provided in Articles 218 and 264 of this Code.” He added that Article 218 refers to the powers of the National Labor Relations Commission while Article 264 refers to assumption of jurisdiction authority of the Labor Secretary or the President.

“In another case of double-speak, PAL claims publicly that its operations have normalized but it justified its prayer for a TRO by allegations that its operations are seriously hampered,” Rivera stated.

He argued that “PAL went to the absurd extent of hiding the existence of PALEA since the complaint does not contain any reference to union and instead the company sued six PALEA members in their individual capacities.”

PALEA, North Triangle residents occupy Roxas Blvd. as PNoy speaks at NAPC

Press Release

October 17, 2011

PALEA

Members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) and residents of North Triangle joined forces in a symbolic occupation of

Roxas Boulevard

as President Benigno Aquino III spoke at a national assembly of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) at the PICC. “The workers and the poor are the 99% of Filipino but why is PNoy siding with Lucio Tan and the Ayalas who represent the 1%,” said Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa.

Renato Magtubo, PM chair and a delegate to the NAPC assembly, boycotted President Aquino’s keynote speech and instead joined the protest. He said that “I choose to be with the 99% rather than listen to the lies of the president of the 1%. PNoy has betrayed the Filipino workers and the poor as revealed by his government’s decision on the Philippine Airlines (PAL) dispute and on the North Triangle issue.”

Earlier this morning, Rivera and Magtubo jogged together with running priest Fr. Robert Reyes and members of the Freedom from Debt Coalition in a “Justice Run for PAL Workers” which started at the Supreme Court, proceeded to the Courts of Appeals and then finished at

Roxas Boulevard

for the protest with PALEA and North Triangle residents.

Magtubo was referring to the ruling of the Office of the President allowing the outsourcing at PAL and the forcible eviction by police of protesting PALEA members at the Terminal 2. In North Triangle, Malacanang rejected the demand of the North Triangle residents for on-site socialized housing despite the approval by a Technical Working Group of a detailed and comprehensive plan. Ayala Land will develop the North Triangle area and is pushing for the demolition of the urban poor residents.

As part of the symbolic occupation of

Roxas Boulevard

, members of PALEA and the San Roque Community Council-North Triangle Alliance (SRCC-NTA)-Kilos Maralita formed a human chain in front of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. By noon, they partook of a “tanghaliang tuyo” to coincide with President Aquino’s “boodle lunch” with representatives of the NAPC delegates.

Last Saturday, in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street Global Day of Action, PALEA declared their protest camp at PAL’s In-Flight Center as part of the international movement against corporate greed and corruption.

“Similar to

Occupy Wall Street

which has fought eviction by the New York City government and police, we will not surrender our occupation of the airport area despite continuing threats of demolition,” said Rivera insisted. PAL has reportedly asked the airport police to demolish the campout and PALEA suspects that private security guards are planning to harass the protesters who number more than 1,000 everyday in shifts.

PALEA’s Trailblazer Fight for Regular Jobs

Last September 27, the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) launched a protest against retrenchment and outsourcing that paralyzed the operations of Philippine Airlines (PAL). The response of PAL and the government was the forcible eviction of protesting PALEA members out of the airport and other offices using an overwhelming force of police and security guards. On October 1, PAL officially terminated some 2,600 employees in three departments—airport services, catering and call center reservations.

PALEA has set up protest camps outside the In-Flight Center near Terminal 2 of the Manila International Airport and outside the Mactan International Airport in Metro Cebu. Every day more than a thousand PALEA members are alternating in shifts to maintain the protest camps.

Despite the dispersal of protesting PALEA members, PAL has not been able to normalize the company’s operations. This exposes the failure of the outsourcing plan. It is the result of PALEA’s defiance to retrenchment and contractualization.

PALEA is calling on PAL to open talks for the resolution of the labor dispute and the normalization of the operations of the flag carrier.  We demand that PAL stop the lockout of workers and allow those terminated to go back to our regular jobs. The implementation of outsourcing should be halted until the courts have made a final decision.

There is a saying that Filipinos are like carabaos which are known to be patient and enduring but will fight back when abused and maltreated. For a long time, PAL employees have been patient carabaos. We have had no collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations since 1998 up to the present hence our salaries and benefits have remained almost the same.

PALEA’s sacrifice enabled PAL to recover and exit rehabilitation ahead of schedule. But in 2009, at a time when CBA negotiations should have started, PAL announced its outsourcing plan. Retrenchment and contractualization is PAL’s reward to the 13-year sacrifice of its employees!

If the retrenchment and contractualization will not be allowed, the company will go bankrupt and will not survive. This is PAL’s alibi. But what is the truth? PAL is not losing nor going bankrupt. Last year, its net income was $72.5 million or more than P3 billion. This is aside from paying $46.5 million or P2 billion in debts last year. This year PAL is projecting a modest profit. It is a lie that PAL is on the brink of ruin.

The truth is PAL wants to elude the CBA negotiations and bust the union. The 2,600 PAL regular employees will be turned into contractuals of three service providers—Sky Logistics, Sky Kitchen and SPI Global. In this way, workers’ wages will be cut down, benefits reduced, job security rid off and the union that is their voice and protection crushed.

As an example, a PAL senior reservations agent received P22,400 in salaries and allowances. If he/she transfers to SPI Global, he/she will be receiving only a P10,000 salary. A master mechanic of PAL has a salary of P28,000 but upon transfer to Sky Logistics will be given only a salary of P11,111.50.

We will be paid lower salaries but will be working longer hours. In the service provider, the workday is 8 hours for 6 days a week compared to 7.5 hours for 5 days a week at PAL. A PAL employee with 20 or 30 years of work experience will be turned into a probationary employee for six months when he/she transfers to the service provider!

No worker can live a decent life with the wages, benefits and working conditions of a contractual. Such a salary cannot cope with the rising prices of commodities. It won’t be enough to send children to school. Health care for family members will be out of reach. There is no future and dignity in contractual work.

That is why the overwhelming majority of PALEA members are holding their ground against retrenchment and contractualization. No more than 15% of affected employees accepted the separation offer. Less than 7% applied to the service providers.

Thus PAL’s planned retrenchment and contractualization could not take off. They have been unable to hire the needed number of people for the service providers and make PAL 100% operational. This exposes the myth that the terminated employees are in non-core operations. If these employees are not important, why then can’t PAL operate normally?

In desperation, PAL hired scabs a week before PALEA’s protest. PAL admitted to the Department of Labor and Employment that as early as September 19 they have started implementing the outsourcing plan.

PALEA was pushed to the wall. It was left with no other option but to hold the protest against retrenchment and contractualization. It was the only way left to defend the regular job of PAL employees.

We are calling on PAL—withdraw the planned outsourcing, stop the retrenchment and contractualization. The ball is in your hands to resolve the labor dispute. End the difficulties of PAL’s passengers and clients.

We appeal for the public’s understanding for any inconvenience brought about by the protest. Most of you are workers like us and should understand why we need to fight against contractualization. Safe and efficient service is guaranteed with PAL’s regular employees not with the contractual workers of the service providers.

PALEA is grateful to all who have been supporting our struggle for the past two years. Today we need your support more than ever.

Firstly, we are calling for concrete actions from labor groups, church institutions and other sectoral organizations to strengthen pressure on PAL on the one hand, and the government, on the other hand.

In addition, we are calling on all to visit the PALEA protest camps. Your presence will help sustain the high morale of PALEA members. You can also bring in assistance, in cash or in kind. Maintaining the protest camps with thousands of people is quite costly. The campouts needs food, water, tents, mats, etc.

To those wishing to donate, please deposit to:

Bank: RCBC

Branch: Baclaran

Account name: PALEA Strike Fund

Peso Savings Account: 1057-16092-3

Peso Current Account: 0057-01628-1

Dollar Account: 8057-00403-9

PALEA has been fighting for two long years to stop retrenchment and contractualization. Now is the time to win this battle.

This is a fight for our families. This is a fight for our future. This is a fight for all Filipino workers. Solidarity forever. The workers united will never be defeated.

For any questions or if you more information, contact us at:

Landline: 8511002 (PALEA), 4396829 (Partido ng Manggagawa)

Cellphone: 09209543634, 09175570777, 09228677522

Facebook: Sulong PALEANS!

Tweeter: manggagawa

http://partidongmanggagawa2001.blogspot.com

http://www.laborpartyphilippines.org