UNLESS stopped by the Court of Appeals, national carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) maintained that it will proceed to lay-off 2,600 workers by October 1.
On Thursday, the PAL Employees Association (Palea) countered that the layoff scheme is facing a giant wall, citing the large number of workers who still refuse to acknowledge the termination notices and accept the severance package.
For confidentiality reasons, PAL vice president for corporate communications Joey de Guzman declined to confirm the allegations of the union, whose members held another protest rally outside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 2 on Friday to oppose the Malacañang-backed move.
"We don’t want them to know where we are right now and how many we have (convinced to accept the separation package). Besides, the law requires that they (workers) be served separation notices. All I can say is that the spinoff on October 1 will push through," he told Sun.Star.
PAL had said that it would stop the spinoff of its call center reservations, passenger handling, and catering operations if Palea can successfully obtain a restraining order from the appellate court.
Under this scenario, the airline said that workers who have received the P100,000-gratuity pay or part of such cash benefit would not be required to return the amount "in lump sum.”
Instead, the amount would be deducted monthly from their salaries.
"So far, there is no change on the date of payment of separation package which is on or before October 15," De Guzman said.
Palea representatives were unavailable for comment as of this posting Friday.
Last week, the union said the outsourcing plan should be immediately suspended and the notices of termination issued by PAL should be voided too given that the service providers are "illegal, labor-only contractors."
Referring to Sky Kitchen Philippines Inc., Sky Logistics Philippines Inc., and SPi Global Holdings Inc., the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) confirmed that these companies are not registered with the agency.
However, Dole National Capital Region Director Raymundo Agravante said the three service providers can easily go to the department’s office in Manila for their accreditation to avoid legal complications before taking over the operations next month.
Among others, the requirements include a duly accomplished and notarized form, certified true copy of certificates of registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), local business permits, and other supporting documents.
The registration fee is only P100.
“I'll have to ask them (service providers) first (as to when they will apply for accreditation at Dole),” De Guzman said.
Source: (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph
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