Philippines Airlines (PAL) tried to outsource its workforce in 2011 by terminating 2,600 workers. The workers, organised by the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) fought back and organised an indefinite picket line.

We talk to Alnem Pretencio, spokeperson from PALEA, about how they had thought they had won their incredibly struggle in 2013, but PAL has used every trick at its disposal to delay the reinstatement of the workers in an attempt to break their commitment and the union.

This struggle is only one of many in the airlines industry woldwide as companies continue to cut workers conditions via contracting out, casualisation and flexibility arrangements. Workers are now organising internationally via a global picketline arrangement to co-ordinate demands and actions at a global level.

Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia