PAL dispute with pilots far from over

MANILA, Philippines - The labor dispute between the Philippine Airlines (PAL) management and its pilots is far from over.

In a press briefing, Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus said separate meetings of the secretaries of transportation, justice, and labor with PAL officials and the pilots were held, but both sides only aired their respective positions on various issues.

The meetings did not yield any major results, but PAL officials are now willing to absorb anew the pilots without imposing any sanctions, he said.

PAL earlier gave the pilots an ultimatum of 7 days to report to work or risk facing charges.

Representatives from Cebu Pacific Airways were also present at the meetings, after the government proposed that some of the routes that will be affected by the dispute will be serviced by the budget carrier.

However, Cebu Pacific said they won't be able to do it.

Another meeting with the two groups will be held Tuesday, De Jesus said, adding that they will try to hold a dialogue involving the two sides.

De Jesus did not disclose other details, noting only that the pilots complained of their meager pay.

He said the problem with the pilots is not connected to the downgrade of the local aviation industry, made by the US Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) a few months back.

Meanwhile, De Jesus said PAL informed them that they will implement new schedules for their flights.

Flights will be merged and will use larger aircrafts, he said quoting PAL.

Passengers will be advised about the changes in their flights, he added.

De Jesus said it is “too early” to have the government take over the flag carrier.

He said a breakthrough could still emerge from the dialogues between the airline and the pilots. -- With reports from Jorge Cariño and Jenny Reyes, ABS-CBN News

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