In a statement, the Flight Attendants and Stewards' Association of the Philippines claimed that the reduction program was being implemented "at the expense" of flight attendants now working double-time due to the small number of crew members serving per aircraft.
"The reductions scheme takes away food on the flight attendants' table, making them work more for less pay," said Fasap president Bob Anduiza in a statement Friday.
The program was enforced starting July despite strong objections from FASAP, he noted.
Citing documents detailing PAL's plans to reduce Cabin Crew Complement per aircraft type, FASAP on Friday said such scheme would result to a "whopping" P141,306,729.17 savings yearly for the national carrier.
"[This figure] is certainly several times bigger than the financial amount PAL is offering to the 1,542 flight attendants to cover for a three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement," said Anduiza.
PAL has increased its economic package offer from P80 million to P105 million. But Fasap was demanding for a P300 million economic package.
The cabin crew union has threatened to hold a strike against PAL after both camps failed to reach an agreement at the Department of Labor and Employment.
Among many other contentions that have yet to be settled include moving the retirement age of flight attendants from 40 to 60 years old, raising pay to be at par with that offered by foreign carriers and providing for a paid maternity leave.
Under the reduction scheme, a 400-seater plane, which previously operated with 18 cabin crew members, now only carries 12 flight attendants to serve passengers. The number of cabin crew in smaller aircraft has also been trimmed down.
Anduiza said the scheme was also shortchanging the riding public who pay a steep price for PAL's tickets "but will now get less service."
"The riding public should know about this because PAL has recently been trying to paint a picture that they are being reasonable in dealing with Fasap," he said.
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