PAL, PALEA ink collective bargaining agreement

MANILA, Philippines — The management of flag carrier Philippine Airlines and its ground crew union have struck a fresh deal providing for enhanced employment terms for the union members.

PAL said its management and the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) have signed a landmark five-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

According to PAL, the timely conclusion of the CBA negotiations reflected “a spirit of mutual collaboration and trust-building between management and labor that focused on finding ways to enhance the welfare of PAL ground rank and file employees in an era of great economic challenges.”

The PALEA membership accounts for 11 percent of the total PAL workforce totaling 6,829.

PAL believes a smooth partnership between management and its entire workforce is vital to the success of the flag carrier as it expands its domestic and international route network covering more than 30 domestic and 40 international destinations with a young fleet of 98 advanced-technology aircraft.

“Despite the many challenges that Philippine Airlines is facing, my father made this new CBA his top priority in recognition of your long years of dedication to PAL. Our Chairman truly values the partnership that we have and your contribution towards the achievement of our shared mission as a flag carrier,” PAL executive vice president, treasurer, and chief administrative officer Vivienne Tan said.

 “My father is indeed very pleased that both management and PALEA reached out to each other and found common ground. I believe that an open and constructive dialogue with PALEA and other unions must always be done in a spirit of good faith which is key to establishing a strong foundation of partnership.  I join my father in the hope that with this landmark CBA, all of us will work even more in making a meaningful contribution to enable our beloved Philippine Airlines reach greater heights and serve the Filipinos well. I thank all our employees for their dedicated work in making our flag carrier a world class airline, the Philippines’ best,” she said.

PALEA president Edgardo Oredina thanked the PAL management for its pro-active approach in the negotiations which led to the resolution of key items on the negotiating table.

“Rest assured, we offer our hand of cooperation and collaboration. Together, we will work as a united PAL family, committed to ensuring industrial peace for the greater good,” Oredina said.