MANILA, Philippines - The Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) filed a notice of strike with the Department of Labor and Employment on Thursday.

FASAP Vice-President Andy Ortega said the group's 1,600 members are expected to join the strike.

The notice of strike was filed after FASAP failed to reach a compromise agreement with Philippine Airlines' management during mediation talks at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board last August 9.

FASAP withdrew from the talks after PAL refused to change its policies on mandatory retirement age and on maternity and pregnancy leaves.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz earlier said that after a notice of strike is filed, it will take 30 days for a cooling off period to still look for a settlement.

"Once we go on strike, no flight will take off," said Bob Anduiza, president of FASAP.

"This will ground PAL's entire operations," he told a news conference.

PAL spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna appealed to the union to reconsider and return to the negotiating table.

"This will affect Philippine tourism and our financial position," Villaluna said in a radio interview, noting that the country's tourism sector has already taken a blow from the August 23 Manila hostage crisis.

But contrary to FASAP's claim, Villaluna said PAL's flights will not be disrupted if the strike pushes through. She said they are ready for contingencies.

The cabin staff are seeking a raise that would put their pay on par with that offered by foreign carriers. They are also demanding paid maternity leave and an end to a company policy that forces female attendants to retire at the age of 40.

There was no immediate comment from the labor department.

The planned strike is the latest in a string of labor problems to hit the national flag-carrier. Last month, 25 pilots and first officers of PAL's short-haul aircraft suddenly quit for higher paying jobs abroad, forcing the abrupt cancellation of several flights. With additional report by Agence France Presse