Asiana Airlines Pilots Union Announces Full-Scale Strike
The pilots union of Asiana Airlines has recently declared a full-scale strike due to failed negotiations on a wage agreement with the management. The strike is set to commence on the 24th of this month, as stated by the airline industry.
Before the strike, the pilots’ union had already initiated a secondary industrial action from the 14th. This action involves non-compliance with regulations related to aircraft defects and adopting practices that increase fuel consumption, aiming to exert pressure on the authorities.
Since October of the previous year, both the pilots’ and managers’ union have engaged in 24 discussions concerning the rate of wage increase. However, despite their efforts, the diverging opinions between the two parties could not be reconciled.
The management proposed a 2.5% wage increase for this year, while the pilots’ union demanded a 10% raise, highlighting that salaries have remained frozen from 2019 to 2022.
Although the strike by the pilots’ union may disrupt operations to some extent, it is unlikely to fully halt the functioning of Asiana Airlines. As the air transport industry is considered an essential public service, certain regulations state that even during a strike, the airline must maintain an operating rate of 80% for international flights and 70% for domestic flights.
Since last month’s decision to stage industrial action in May, the pilots’ union has been steadfast in its pursuit of compliance. An official from Asiana Airlines assured passengers that they would make every effort to minimize inconvenience caused by the strike.
Journalist: Shin Jae-hee
[비즈니스포스트] The Asiana Airlines pilots union has announced a full-scale strike.
According to the airline industry on the 14th, the Asiana Airlines pilots union announced that it would go on strike from the 24th as negotiations on a wage agreement with management broke down.
▲ The Asiana Airlines union holds a press conference related to the Dispute Countermeasures Committee at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions building in Jung-gu, Seoul on June 7. <연합뉴스>
Before the strike, the pilots’ union decided to start a second industrial action from the 14th. The secondary industrial action is to cause damage to the controllers by refusing to fly in accordance with regulations associated with defects, or by flying in a form that increases fuel consumption.
The pilots’ and managers’ union has had 24 discussions since October last year regarding the wage increase rate, but the difference of opinion could not be narrowed.
The management suggested a 2.5% increase in wages this year to the union, but the union demanded a 10% wage increase, saying wages were frozen between 2019 and 2022.
Even with a strike by the pilots’ union, Asiana Airlines operations are unlikely to be completely halted. This is because the air transport industry has been designated as an essential public service project, and even during a strike, the operating rate must be maintained at 80% for international flights and 70% for domestic flights, respectively that.
The pilots’ union has been fighting for compliance since the 7th of last month after deciding to take industrial action in May this year.
An Asiana Airlines official said, “We will try all measures to minimize inconvenience to passengers.” Reporter Shin Jae-hee
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