KMU denounces new Assumption of Jurisdiction threat at PAL; ‘Aquino gov’t siding with Lucio Tan, not national interest’

“In trying to stop the impending strike in PAL by threatening to assume jurisdiction over the labor dispute, the Aquino government is siding with tycoon Lucio Tan and not the national interest.”

This was labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno’s reaction to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz’ warning that she will use her power of Assumption of Jurisdiction to prevent the strike at PAL.

The Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines announced last Wednesday that it will launch a strike to protest early retirement policies and gender discrimination in the country’s flag carrier.

“Baldoz’ threat is nothing less than a thumbs-up to Lucio Tan’s anti-worker and anti-women policies of banning pregnancy among flight attendants and banning flight attendants who are more than 40 years old. It is a clear proof that the Aquino government prioritizes capitalist profits over workers’ basic rights in its distorted view of ‘national interest’,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

Last August, PAL’s ground employees under the PAL Employees’ Assocation or Palea also warned that it will launch a strike to oppose PAL’s spin-off and outsourcing schemes which threaten to lay off 2,600 employees.

“Despite the Aquino government’s vocal opposition to any strike by PAL workers, it has not done anything to compel Lucio Tan to stop his gross profiteering schemes and accede to the workers’ just demands. Merely forcing PAL workers and the PAL management to negotiate has repeatedly failed and will not suffice,” labog added.

KMU also reiterated its call for the junking of the Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) powers of the Labor secretary, which makes strikes illegal, and the termination of striking workers and the intervention of police and military forces perfectly legal.

“We have seen how bloody the AJ can get when it served as license for the intervention of the police and military in the 2004 Hacienda Luisita strike – that led to the massacre there. AJ destroys the workers’ basic right to protest, and to fight for our legitimate demands,” Labog said.  #