PAL Workers Threaten to Continue Protest Through Peak Travel Season

Over 1,500 employees of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) are threatening to paralyze the airline operations with their protests as the peak travel season in December nears.

Members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) said the workers' union is determined to extend its fight against what they claim as unfair labor practices at the airline, citing in particular the retrenchment of 120 employees last month.

"We will exercise every legal right that we can do. We will try to paralyze the operations," said PALEA president Gerry Rivera.

PALEA earlier filed a notice of strike before the Labor Department.

Meanwhile, the PAL management said it had removed redundant positions, mostly ground crew.

The Labor Department has called for a meeting between PAL and PALEA to attempt an amicable settlement over the long-running dispute at the airline.