by Ricardo Sia

continuation:

MANILA, Philippines — In this vacant lot in Paranaque City, once stood the office of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association or PALEA.

Gerry Rivera, PALEA Union President is giving a briefing and updates to the officers of the union.

SEPTEMBER 27 will be the 71st anniversary of the Union and six days after, the 6th year anniversary of the lock-out. The small assembly finds its occasion for everybody to greet one another and to recall their struggles.

Surprisingly, when the mediation proceedings were terminated, the secretary of DOLE resolved to anchor his decision on the basis of ‘interpretation of contract’.

Thus, in his Order, the secretary recommended that the issue is better resolved by the Supreme Court… and the fight goes on. CPM