Workers at Philippine Airlines are waging a strong and escalating campaign against their management’s outsourcing plans. Some 2600 termination notices are due to take effect on 30 September for workers in airport services (check in, baggage handling), catering and call centres.
Through their union, the Philippine Airlines Employees Association, workers have responded in the last fortnight with a series of actions including a motorcade, a noise barrage, a prayer meeting at the airport, a family day, press conferences involving labour and church groups, and a mass rally planned for Manila Airport today (Friday).
Of the 2600 workers only a small number have signed on to receive a termination package from Philippine Airlines. Many who signed have since signed an affidavit of retraction, explaining they only accepted the termination under duress and with deceit.
The outsourcing plan is all about reducing job security, union strength, and wages and conditions. PALEA President Gerry Rivera explains: “A senior PAL reservation agent with five years of work experience receives PhP 22,400 in salaries and allowances but is being offered by service provider SPI Global a wage of only PhP 10,000. This is not even the minimum salary and clearly a starvation wage for a family breadwinner.”
Today’s rally is described as “a final warning to Philippine Airlines against enforcing a lockout on the workers”. More information here
Workers at Philippine Airlines are waging a strong and escalating campaign against their management’s outsourcing plans. Some 2600 termination notices are due to take effect on 30 September for workers in airport services (check in, baggage handling), catering and call centres.
Through their union, the Philippine Airlines Employees Association, workers have responded in the last fortnight with a series of actions including a motorcade, a noise barrage, a prayer meeting at the airport, a family day, press conferences involving labour and church groups, and a mass rally planned for Manila Airport today (Friday).
Of the 2600 workers only a small number have signed on to receive a termination package from Philippine Airlines. Many who signed have since signed an affidavit of retraction, explaining they only accepted the termination under duress and with deceit.
The outsourcing plan is all about reducing job security, union strength, and wages and conditions. PALEA President Gerry Rivera explains: “A senior PAL reservation agent with five years of work experience receives PhP 22,400 in salaries and allowances but is being offered by service provider SPI Global a wage of only PhP 10,000. This is not even the minimum salary and clearly a starvation wage for a family breadwinner.”
Today’s rally is described as “a final warning to Philippine Airlines against enforcing a lockout on the workers”. More information here
