South Korean Pilots' Union Action Fails to Gain Momentum Amid Public Opposition

The flight crew unions of South Korea's two largest passenger airlines, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, have resumed talks with their respective management over better working conditions and job security. However, the unions' actions to demand an extension of the mandatory retirement age and withdrawal of the right to prosecute pilots involved in flight accidents have been met with little public support. Members of the pilots' union of Korean Air continued to taxi their planes at half normal speed, while Asiana Airlines' pilots postponed a planned 24-hour strike, hoping to reach an agreement through dialogue.

Key Takeaways:

• The pilot unions of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are demanding an extension of the mandatory retirement age from 55 to 59, respectively 57, with the opportunity to work for two more years as part-time pilots after retiring.
• The unions are also seeking to withdraw the right to prosecute pilots involved in flight accidents.
• The pilot unions have rolled over on some of their demands, including the provision of golf clubs at hotels when they lodge abroad, in the face of public criticism.
• The unions have blamed media outlets for taking the side of management, but observers say it remains to be seen whether the pilots will take industrial action given the lack of public support.
• The decision by the pilots' unions may affect a series of other scheduled strikes by metal workers and paramedics, and a general strike planned by the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU).
• Labor Minister Kim Dae-hwan has warned that the FKTU's planned strike is a politically charged action and would be counterproductive.

Statistics:

• Senior pilots earn more than 100 million won (US$100,000) a year.
• The number of strikes in South Korea decreased 22 percent to 74 in the first half of this year, compared with 337 during the same period last year.
• South Korea is the 11th-largest economy in the world.

Sources:

• Asia Pulse, "Pilot unions of Korean Air and Asiana resume talks with management"
• Yonhap, "Number of strikes in S. Korea drops 22 pct in first half"
• Federal Reserve Economic Data, "World GDP ranking"