Reopening of FASAP case is a travesty of justice

Press Release

March 22, 2012

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) called the decision of the Supreme Court to affirm the reopening of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association (FASAP) case as a “travesty of justice.” “Only in the Philippines can a case that had already been ruled with finality twice by the highest court of the land still be reviewed once more on its merits. Indeed justice delayed is justice denied for 1,400 our sister and brother flight attendants,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president.

He added that “FASAP’s case is relevant is PALEA’s fight since if the retrenchment of cabin crew in 1998 at a time when Philippine Airlines was bankrupt is illegal then so much more is the layoff of 2,400 ground staff after the flag carrier posted PhP 3 billion in profit for its previous fiscal year.”

Meanwhile Renato Magtubo, chairperson of the Partido ng Manggagawa, declared that “The timing of the release of the Supreme Court resolution clearing Chief Justice Renato Corona is perfectly timed for the defense presentation in the impeachment case. It leaves everyone thinking that it is part of the impeachment defense of Corona.”

Magtubo said that the plight of FASAP and PALEA reveals the failure of the labor justice system in the country. “It is not just with the Supreme Court but even more with the graft ridden National Labor Relations Commission, National Mediation and Conciliation Board and Department of Labor and Employment that workers lose to the power of money of abusive capitalists,” he added.

“Workers demand reforms beyond the prosecution of Gloria and the impeachment of Corona. For workers at least get a taste of fair share of justice, the NLRC, NCMB and DOLE must be cleansed, and the policies of liberalization, deregulation and privatization that have led to thousands of closures and layoffs, and collapse of industry and agriculture must be rolled back,” Magtubo explained.

PM announced that the May Day campaign will start early with a “Kalbaryo ng Manggagawa at Maralita” on the first week of April that will highlight the issues of low wages, high prices, mass unemployment, contractual jobs and urban poor demolitions.

Rejection of legislated wage hike exposes “Noy-ngaling”—labor party

Press Release

March 21, 2012

The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) slammed Malacanang’s rejection of the legislated wage hike bill about to be passed by the House Labor Committee as exposing the disconnect between President Benigno Aquino III’s words and deeds. “Just last Friday night PNoy declared in front of employers that workers welfare is paramount but now his administration has thumbed down the wage hike proposal with the usual capitalist blackmail. PNoy is a Noy-ngaling,” declared Renato Magtubo, PM national chair.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte spoke yesterday on behalf of President Aquino that the legislated P125 across-the-board wage increase will lead to layoffs of workers.

“Such horror stories are just black propaganda at blackmail. Why should we be afraid of additional money circulating in the economy due to a wage hike when billions of dollars in remittances entering the country is always applauded? If the stronger purchasing power of OFW families is a positive factor in the economy then should not the same thing hold for more money in the hands of workers which we will use to buy the necessities of life? A wage hike will be good for the workers and will also be beneficial to the economy because it will spur the production of more goods and provision of more services,” Magtubo explained.

He added that “Why is it that the prices of the goods and services bought by workers are not tempered by the capacity to pay of the consumers? The answer is that prices take into account the cost of production with a margin included for the profit of capitalists. If that is how prices are fixed in this society called capitalism, then the price of the only thing sold by workers—their labor power—should also be computed in the same way. Meaning, it must be based on the cost of production of labor power. And this is precisely the cost of living of workers and their families.”

PM announced that the May Day campaign will start early in time for the Holy Week break. The group will lead a “Kalbaryo ng Manggagawa at Maralita” on the first week of April that will highlight the issues of low wages, high prices, mass unemployment, contractual jobs and urban poor demolitions.

“The Kalbaryo is part of the May Day campaign for labor justice. Workers demand reforms beyond the prosecution of Gloria and the impeachment of Corona. The graft ridden National Labor Relations Commission, the Department of Labor and Employment and the National Mediation and Conciliation Board must be cleansed. The policies of liberalization, deregulation and privatization that have led to thousands of closures and layoffs, and collapse of industry and agriculture must be rolled back,” Magtubo insisted.

P-Noy’s pro-labor pitch tagged as “Noy-ngaling” by labor party

Press Release

March 18, 2012

President Benigno Aquino III got another jab from militant groups after his speech at the Anvil Business Club last Friday about protecting workers interests. The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) slammed as a brazen lie President Aqunio’s declaration to business leaders that the workers welfare is paramount.

“President Aquino is a Noy-ngaling. There is a huge disconnect between his words and deeds regarding workers’ interests. If PNoy is not a Noy-ngaling then how come 2,400 Philippine Airlines (PAL) employees have been sacrificed by the Office of the President and the Labor Department on the altar of contractualization,” declared Renato Magtubo, PM chair.

PM insisted that Aquino had his litmus test with the labor dispute at PAL but failed miserably. “PNoy’s new found love for workers is a casual affair no different from his usual relationships. PNoy’s alleged love for workers will not last five months like the widespread contractual contracts that afflict laborers everywhere,” Magtubo added.

Nonetheless PM challenged Aquino to order the National Wages and Productivity Commission to act on the wage petitions, and certify the bills on legislated wage and security of tenure at Congress.

For the coming Labor Day celebrations, PM and allied groups such as the Philippine Airlines Employees Association are launching a campaign for labor justice they have dubbed “Love your workers” in a jab at the “Love your PAL” advertising campaign of the national flag carrier.

“Workers demand reforms beyond the prosecution of Gloria and the impeachment of Corona. The graft ridden National Labor Relations Commission, the Department of Labor and Employment and the National Mediation and Conciliation Board must be cleansed. The policies of liberalization, deregulation and privatization that have led to thousands of closures and layoffs, and collapse of industry and agriculture must be rolled back,” Magtubo explained.

Labor party calls for removal of VAT on oil to reduce prices

Press Release

March 16, 2012

One day after the transport protest against the unabated increases in oil prices, the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) called on the administration of President Benigno Aquino III to remove the VAT on oil products as an immediate measure to reduce prices.

“Noynoying at oil price hikes is unacceptable. Malacanang must assuage the public that despite movements in the international price of oil, the government has the menu of options to mitigate the impact of these price movements,” insisted Jong Pacanot, PM-Davao spokesperson.

He added that the government must seriously consider demands for the removal of VAT on oil to mitigate the impact of oil price hikes which is expected to reach the 2008 level of P60/liter.  The government collects twelve percent in every liter of oil products.

 “It is unfortunate that Energy Department officials get elated with the news that there might be a ‘pause’ in oil price hikes this week while the fact remains that more than a decade since the oil deregulation law, the regime of higher oil prices has been pestering the lives of the workers and the poor,” Pacanot asserted.

The labor party added its voice in calling for the government to take decisive steps in stopping relentless hikes in oil prices. The group also asked the government to adjust the current level of wages by granting labor groups’ petitions for wage increase. Last Wednesday, PM and the Philippine Airlines Employees Association picketed the Petron headquarters in Makati City.

“Raising the consumers’ capacity to buy is also an option.  Thus, a new wage order at this point in time must be issued by the government,” Pacanot explained.

The group is open to supporting all means to raise wages from the petition filed by the TUCP at the regional wage boards to a legislated wage hike bill filed in Congress by militant lawmakers.

While supporting demand for wage hike: PALEA joins protest vs. oil price hikes

PRESS RELEASE

March 14, 2012

Locked out workers of the Philippine Airlines add their voice in calling for the government to take decisive steps in stopping relentless hikes in oil prices.

And while still battling for reinstatement after having been outsourced since October 1, 2011, members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) is also asking the government to adjust the current level of wages by granting Labor groups’ petitions for wage increase.

In a picket held at the Petron headquarters in Makati City, PALEA and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) insisted that the energy department and Malacanang must assure the public that despite movements in the international price of oil, the government has the menu of options to mitigate the impact of these price movements. 

“It is really contemptible to see energy and Palace officials getting elated with the news that there might be a 'pause' in oil price hikes this week while the fact remains that more than a decade since the oil deregulation law, the regime of higher oil prices has been pestering the lives of the masang Pinoys,” said PALEA President Gerry Rivera.

Rivera said the government must seriously consider demands for the removal of VAT on oil to mitigate the impact of oil price hikes which is expected to reach the 2008 level of P60/liter.  The government collects twelve percent in every liter of oil products.

“Raising the consumers’ capacity to buy is also an option.  Thus, a new wage order at this point in time must be issued by the government,” added Rivera. 

The group is supporting a wage increase petition filed by the TUCP at the regional wage boards as well as the bills on legislated wage hike filed in Congress by militant lawmakers.

PALEA holds solidarity action for Port of Auckland wharfies

Press Release

March 14, 2012

PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) picketed the New Zealand embassy in a show of solidarity for the embattled Port of Auckland workers. “We extend the hand of solidarity to our brother and sister wharfies who are for fighting for job security and better working conditions. The struggles they are waging mirror the same demands that we are currently fighting for at Philippine Airlines,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (Labor Party-Philippines).

He added that “The fight against outsourcing and contractualization is a global battle being fought by Auckland wharfies in New Zeland, PAL employees in the Philippines, Qantas workers in Australia and longshore workers in the US.” Members of PALEA picketed the New Zealand embassy along Buendia in Makati by 10:00 a.m. A delegation went to the embassy premises to deliver a letter of concern.

The picket was in response to the call for support by the International Transport Workers Federation, a global union federation of some 5 million workers in 155 countries. PALEA’s letter also expressed concern at the struggles of locked out meat workers at AFFCO and striking rest care workers of Oceania in New Zealand.

The PALEA protesters shouted “Ang laban ng wharfies ay laban ng PALEA. We are all wharfies.” Rivera explained that “PALEA condemns the drive by the management of Port of Auckland—as well as AFFCO and Oceania—to slash labor costs, undercut labor standards and weaken job security, all in the name of competitiveness.”

The Port of Auckland strike is arguably the biggest labor dispute in New Zealand at the moment. Some 300 port workers have been dismissed after going on strike and in the midst of contract negotiations. Moreover port management has announced that it will outsource its stevedoring services.

PALEA’s letter of concern stated that “We urge the government of New Zealand to address the demands of workers at the Port of Auckland, AFFCO and Oceania. New Zealand is signatory to international labor conventions that guarantee basic workers rights and labor standards, and thus bound by its provisions. The international labor movement would ensure through solidarity actions that your government provides an environment in which workers rights and welfare are secured.”

Rivera insisted that “We will be monitoring the situation at the Port of Auckland, AFFCO and Oceania. We will continue to hold solidarity actions until our concerns have been acted upon in the interest of the workers of New Zealand.”

Rally today vs. oil price hike, for wage increase

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact Alnem Pretencio (PALEA VP) @ 09209543634

Rally vs. oil price hike, for wage increase

WHAT: PALEA to hold rally vs. oil price increase

WHEN:  Today, March 14, 11:00 am

WHERE: Petron Megaplaza, Buendia, Makati

DETAILS: In the rally, PALEA will call upon the government to address the unabated oil price increases by nationalizing Petron and ending the deregulation of the oil industry. PALEA will also demand a wage increase for workers and announce its support for TUCP’s demand for a salary hike. “The escalating cost of living and the epidemic of contractual work are a double whammy on workers,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president.

PALEA to picket New Zealand Embassy in support of Port of Auckland wharfies

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact Alnem Pretencio (PALEA VP) @ 09209543634

 Solidarity action for fellow transport workers

PALEA to picket New Zealand Embassy in support of Port of Auckland wharfies

WHAT: PALEA solidarity picket for Auckland port workers

WHEN:  Today, March 14, 10:00 am

WHERE: New Zealand Embassy, BPI Buendia Center (near Buendia cor.

Makati Ave.

)

DETAILS: The Port of Auckland workers are on strike and have been dismissed due to a dispute over outsourcing and contractualization. The picket is in response to the call of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) for global solidarity. PALEA will deliver a letter of concern to the New Zealand Embassy officials.

“The fight of the Auckland wharfies mirrors the struggle of Philippine Airlines employees. We stand in solidarity with them,” declared Gerry Rivera, PALEA president.

Workers Digest 44: International Women's Day issue

Post-Women’s Day Action: Women workers lead caravan to Cavite vs. high prices, endo jobs

Press Release

March 10, 2012

PALEA

Women members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA), Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Rosario Workers Association (RWA) and United Cavite Workers Association (UCWA) led a caravan today against high prices and contractual work.

The caravan vs. high prices and endo (end of contract) jobs is an extension of the observance of International Women’s Day and an anticipation of the Labor Day commemoration. “The high cost of living and the proliferation of contractual work is a double whammy on workers in general and women in particular,” asserted Arlene Ladimo of PALEA Women’s Committee.

PM is proposing that government end the policy of deregulation of the oil industry to control the runaway prices and renationalize Petron to promote competition among the big players.

The caravan left the PALEA protest camp at the In-Flight Center of Philippine Airlines (PAL) at noon and passed through the densely populated areas of Paranaque, Las Pinas, Bacoor and Noveleta before finishing at the industrial town of Rosario. A highlight of the caravan was the salubungan around 2:00 pm at the main gate of the Cavite Ecozone where Cavite workers organized by the RWA and UCWA met the contingent from Metro Manila.

“The three demands of women workers last Women’s Day and for Labor Day as well are the lowering of prices, an end to endo jobs and additional budget for social services. These measures will lighten the double burden of women workers who not only labor in their places of work but also slave in unpaid domestic work in their houses,” explained Judy Ann Miranda, PM Secretary-general.

Next week PALEA continues with mass actions in time for the 71^st anniversary of PAL on March 15. The union is planning rallies at PAL offices and the Allied Bank building in Ayala where Lucio Tan holds office.

“PNoy believed the spin that PAL is losing money and thus allowed the mass layoff and job outsourcing plan despite the flag carrier’s P3 billion profit in its latest fiscal year. Now it is as clear as day that Lucio Tan instead of becoming poorer has become even richer to the tune of $3.5 billion from last year’s $2.8 billion as per the Forbes list of billionaires. But Lucio Tan wants to catch up with Henry Sy, the richest Filipino and number one promoter of contractualization, by implementing the outsourcing scam at PAL,” insisted Ladino.

Caravan to Cavite vs. high prices, endo jobs today

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact Alnem Pretencio (PALEA VP) @ 09209543634

        Post-Women’s Day Action

Women workers lead caravan to Cavite

vs. high prices, endo jobs

WHAT: Women members of PALEA, Partido ng Manggagawa, Rosario Workers Association and United Cavite Workers Association join in caravan vs. high prices and contractual (end of contract) jobs

WHEN:  Today, March 10, start at 12:00 noon, program at 2:00 pm

WHERE: Start at PALEA protest camp and end with program at main gate of Cavite Ecozone (Rosario, Cavite)

DETAILS: The caravan vs. high prices and endo jobs is an extension of the observance of International Women’s Day and an anticipation of the Labor Day commemoration. The high cost of living and the proliferation of contractual work is a double whammy on workers in general and women in particular.

The caravan will pass through the densely populated areas of Paranaque, Las Pinas, Bacoor and Noveleta, before finishing at the industrial town of Rosario. A highlight of the caravan will be the salubungan at the main gate of the Cavite Ecozone where organized Cavite workers will meet the contingent from Metro Manila.

Women workers run for gender and labor justice on 101st Women’s Day

PRESS RELEASE

Partido ng Manggagawa

PALEA Women’s Committee

8 March 2012

To cap the weeklong commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) by the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) women members held a women run for gender justice and labor justice, 6:00am at Ayala, Makati City, wreath-laying at Gabriela Silang monument at Ayala corner Makati Avenue, then proceeded to Allied Bank along Ayala Avenue.

“The Women Run for Gender Justice and Labor Justice is a celebration of the inseparability of the fight for women’s rights and workers rights.  IWD in fact started in honor of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York. While much has been achieved by women in general, for women workers the sweatshop conditions of the 1900’s is still the norm in factories, shops, offices and farms as capitalist globalization rolls back the gains of the labor movement even as gender equality and reproductive health remains crucial concerns,” asserted Judy Ann Miranda of PM.

 Ms. Miranda added that, “On this occasion, other concerns that we also want to give emphasis to are women’s right to equal work opportunity, a concrete solution to high prices of basic commodities,  additional budget for social services, and passage of the RH bill.”

PM and PALEA further explained that women’s labor force participation rate in our country has remained, more or less, at 50% and the reason for this is the tremendous lack of job opportunities for women.  This reality is taking a big toll on the bodies and minds of women who have been more burdened by poverty, high prices, and lack of crucial services such as health, housing, among others.

“To DOLE Secretary Baldoz and PNoy, we refuse to listen to more of your promises, lies and deception.  Araw namin  ito, so this time, you listen to our demands and act on them as sincere public officials should do,” declared Arlene Ladimo of PALEA.  To symbolize women workers’ refusal to listen to mere promises but rather be heard, they did an Aguirre (prosecution lawyer Vitaliano Aguirre, Jr.) by covering their ears for a few minutes. 

“We have been lied to when we sought the President’s help vs. Lucio Tan’s outsourcing and contractualization scheme of PAL employees and PNoy said this is within the bounds of law.  Thousands were duped to take up nursing with promises of jobs abroad – the other day, Secretary Baldoz are calling on them to work at call centers, etc., etc.  We want jobs, not just any job but regular and decent jobs, we want lower prices of basic goods, and more budget for social services.  ‘Yan ang ibigay ninyo dahil ‘yan ang kailangan namin,” continued Ms. Ladimo.

After the Women Run at Ayala, Makati, the PALEA and PM women members held a motorcade to Mendiola and joined the World March of Women in a traditional rally. Yesterday they held a “Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan” to highlight the 101 burdens of women as a way of focusing attention on the pressing concerns on the 101st anniversary of IWD.

Women Run for Gender Justice and Labor Justice at Ayala, Makati

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact Alnem Pretencio (PALEA VP) @ 09209543634

        Judy Ann Miranda (PM Sec-Gen) @ 09228677522

International Women’s Day Commemoration

Women Run for Gender Justice and Labor Justice at Ayala, Makati

WHAT: PALEA and PM women members to hold Women Run for Gender Justice, Labor Justice

WHEN:  Tomorrow, March 8, 6:00 am

WHERE: Ayala cor.

Makati Ave.

(wreath-laying at Gabriela Silang Monument) then proceed to Allied Bank along

Ayala Ave.

DETAILS: The Women Run for Gender Justice and Labor Justice caps the weeklong commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) by the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM). After the Women Run at Ayala, Makati, the PALEA and PM women members will hold a motorcade to Mendiola and join the World March of Women in a traditional rally.

“The Women Run for Gender Justice and Labor Justice is a celebration of the inseparability of the fight for women’s rights and workers rights. IWD in fact started in honor of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York. While much has been achieved by women in general, for women workers the sweatshop conditions of the 1900’s is still the norm in factories, shops, offices and farms as capitalist globalization rolls back the gains of the labor movement even as the fight for gender equality remains crucial concerns,” asserted Judy Ann Miranda of PM.

Women workers hold “Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan”

PALEA women power on the march

PRESS RELEASE

Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)

PALEA Women’s Committee

7 March 2012

Women members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) held a march dubbed “Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan” from Sta. Cruz Church to Recto to Morayta, Manila.  The march highlighted the “101 burdens of women on the 101^st anniversary of International Women’s Day.”

Among the burdens of women raised during the activity included the following: grave lack of job opportunities for women, outsourcing and contractualization being experienced by PALEA members and other women workers, high prices of basic commodities, non-passage of a reproductive health program after more than a decade and extreme lack of social services. 

“International Women’s Day will be 101 years tomorrow.  From continuously struggling for our rights and a better life, we have won victories.  However, the capitalist system in deep crisis has been little by little taking back what our forebears have won and sacrificed their lives for,” asserted PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda.

“Subalit hindi kami titigil sa paglaban – para sa trabaho, mas mababang presyo ng bilihin, kalidad na pampublikong serbisyo, programa sa reproduktibong kalusugan, at pagtutol sa kontraktwalisasyon, mababang sweldo, expanded value added taxes sa gasolina, tubig at kuryente, at marami pang iba.  Dahil itinuturo ng kasaysayan na hindi kusang ibinibigay ng gobyerno ang karapatan at mas kaaya-ayang buhay para sa kababaihan at mamamayan, ipinaglalaban ito!” Ms. Miranda added.

“Ang pagpunit ng pinalaking bills ng tubig at kuryente, payslip, reseta ng gamot, endong employment contract, at iba pa are symbols of our disappointment at the Aquino government’s lip service to our demands, and our expression that the fight for the reinstatement of PALEA workers, for jobs for women and a better life will continue,” explained Arlene Ladimo of PALEA Women’s Committee.

Afterwards, the Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan merged with the rally for economic justice of the Freedom from Debt Coalition-Women (FDC). The FDC mobilization bannered the call “Utang sa Kababaihan, Dapat Bayaran.”

Women workers to hold “Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan” today

MEDIA ADVISORY

Women’s Week Commemoration

Women workers to hold “Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan” today

WHAT: PALEA and PM women members to hold march dubbed “Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan”

WHEN:  Today, March 7, 8:00 am

WHERE: Sta. Cruz Church to Recto to Morayta

DETAILS: Women members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) and Partido ng Manggagawa will highlight the “101 burden of women on the 101^st anniversary of International Women’s Day.” The “Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan” is part of the commemoration of Women’s Week.

The Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan will then merge with the rally for economic justice of the Freedom from Debt Coalition-Women (FDC). The FDC mobilization will banner the call “Utang sa Kababaihan, Dapat Bayaran.”

The Kalbaryo ng Kababaihan tomorrow is also a buildup to the International Women’s Day activity by PALEA and PM on Thursday.

Women workers launch kick-off march for International Women’s Day celebration

PRESS RELEASE

PALEA Women’s Committee

5 March 2012

Women members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) joined by Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) held a rally at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Intramuros, Manila to assail the agency’s connivance in the suppression of women workers rights. The protesters will bring female paper dolls with the necks in a noose to highlight the plight of women workers under the present government.

Among the rallyists will be breadwinners, single mothers and widows who are all facing extreme difficulties as PALEA enters its sixth month of a lockout by the Lucio Tan-owned Philippine Airlines (PAL).

“This is our kickoff activity to celebrate March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD),” said Arlene Ladimo of PALEA Women’s Committee.  “The DOLE twice affirmed the outsourcing plan of PAL despite its P3 billion profit belieing its claims of losses. After the mass layoff, now going on six months, we have been facing extreme difficulties i.e., sustaining the education of our children, food expenses, water and electricity bills, etc., etc.  This is especially tough for us, women, who are single mothers, widows and breadwinners,” Ms. Ladimo explained.

“But, of course, despite the hardship, we will not give up.  We will not give up our rights as workers and as women, we will never give up the future of our kids.  We are not alone in this fight.  We are well aware that we face the same situation together with millions of Filipino women–facing unemployment problems, high prices and lack of social services,” added Ms. Ladimo.

“Nakikiisa kami sa laban ng PALEA women gaya ng pakikiisa namin sa laban ng kababaihang manggagawa at maralita.  In this year’s celebration of Women’s Day, our demands are ‘Trabaho para sa Kababaihan!,’ ‘Ibaba presyo ng pangunahing bilihin!’ and ‘Dagdagan ang badyet sa pampublikong serbisyo!,’” explained PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda.

After the rally, several of the PALEA members attended the hearing at the DOLE regarding their illegal suspension by Philippine Airlines for supporting the union picketline.

On Wednesday women members of PALEA and PM will join a march for economic and labor justice that will proceed from UST to Mendiola in Manila. On March 8, PALEA and PM will have another mass action to commemorate International Women’s Day as part of the global activities by women’s groups.

PALEA rally at DOLE today for women's rights

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact Alnem Pretencio (PALEA VP) @ 09209543634

        Judy Ann Miranda (PM Sec-Gen) @ 09228677522

Women’s Week Commemoration

PALEA women rally at DOLE today

WHAT: PALEA women members to hold rally at start of Women’s Week commemoration

WHEN:  Today, March 5, 10:00 am

WHERE: Department of Labor and Employment, Intramuros

DETAILS: Women members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) will hold a rally at the DOLE to assail the agency’s connivance in the suppression of women workers rights. The protesters will bring female paper dolls with the necks in a noose to highlight the plight of women workers under the present government.

            Among the rallyists will be breadwinners, single mothers and widows who are all facing extreme difficulties as PALEA enters its sixth month of a lockout by the Lucio Tan-owned flag carrier. After the rally, several of the PALEA members will attend a hearing at the DOLE regarding their illegal suspension by Philippine Airlines for supporting the union picketline.

Wednesday (March 7): PALEA women join march for economic and labor justice, UST to Mendiola

Thursday: (March 8): PALEA and PM commemorates International Women’s Day

No ‘platinum decision’ on PALEA case, please!, union asks CA

PRESS RELEASE

March 01, 2012

PALEA

Members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) has declared no break in their campaign for labor justice even as the prosecutors in the ongoing impeachment trial against Chief Justice Renato Corona rested its case and the impeachment court took a week-long recess.   

Some 100 PALEA members staged a rally at the Court of Appeals (CA) where its case against the outsourcing scheme of Philippine Airlines (PAL) is pending.  PALEA members appealed on CA justices not to do a Corona whose flip-flopping decision on the FASAP case, they believed, was greatly influenced by special privileges PAL extended to him and his wife. 

“No ‘Platinum’ decision on PALEA case, please!” cried PALEA members who remain defiant against the airline’s implementation of its outsourcing and contractualization plan.  PALEA members still maintain a protest camp ouside PAL’s In-flight Center and Catering Services building along MIA Road since they were locked out by the management in October 1, 2011.

It is recalled that the prosecution’s attempt to present PAL executive Enrique Javier as witness for Article 3 to shed light on the allegation that CJ Corona and his wife received privileges from PAL while the FASAP case remains pending at the SC, was blocked by the impeachment court.

“Since Javier’s testimony and evidences were not presented in the impeachment court due to procedural prohibitions, we believe that the pubilc has the right to know what lies behind PAL’s platinum card and its significance to labor cases pending before the courts

PAL’s platinum card, as stated by the defense lawyer, is being offered to VIPs, including high government officials.  But under the Constitution and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Chief Justice and all other government officials are barred from soliciting or receiving such privileges to avoid conflict of interest and maintain probity and integrity in public service. 

CJ Corona and his wife Cristina have PAL Platinum Card No. A752 and A753 respectively.  As platinum card holders, they enjoy free and unlimited business class travel privileges, both local and international, which the couple eagerly availed in 2010 and 2011. 

“We hope and pray that PALEA does not suffer the fate of FASAP whose victory, after 13 long years of struggle for justice, was averted by a ‘Pilato-num’ decision of the Chief Justice,” stated PALEA President Gerry Rivera.

Before the rally at the CA, PALEA members went around the university belt in Manila in a motorcade to drum up support from the students.  The union and its supporters in the labor and civil society movement extend their boycott campaign against PAL and Air Philippines among the students in anticipation for the surge of passengers back to the provinces after the end of the semester.