As if the inclement weather from Typhoon Pedring (Nesat) were not enough, passengers flying via flag carrier Philippine Airlines were further inconvenienced by a sudden work stoppage by PAL’s ground crew Tuesday.
PAL was forced to cancel its flights for the day until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday, spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.
"We announce to the flying public we are canceling our flights for the day until 6 pm” Villaluna said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Citing initial reports reaching her, Villaluna said the work stoppage started at 6:50 a.m. when load controllers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 walked out of their posts.
The load controllers are in charge of determining a plane’s weight and balance, she said.
At 7:15 a.m., the personnel at the counter area stopped their work, she said.
"This action had to do with their protests against the outsourcing we will start on October 1,” she said.
Villaluna said PAL lawyers will talk to the workers joining the walkout.
“We want to remind them hampering airport operations is a crime,” she said, even as she apologized to passengers for the inconvenience.
For his part, PAL Employees Association (PALEA) president Gerry Rivera said they will continue the stoppage indefinitely.
"We will continue this protest against the illegal lockout by PAL management,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News
source: http://m.gmanews.tv
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