The Korean Air pilots' union is set to hold its first rally regarding the integration of seniority, as negotiations with management have stalled, escalating the conflict into external protests. Following a request for mediation from the Labor Relations Commission, the union is now taking collective action, introducing a new variable in the lead-up to the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.
According to industry sources, the pilots' union plans to conduct rallies at multiple locations next week, including in front of the residence of Cho Won-tae, chairman of Hanjin Group. This marks the first time the union has organized a rally over the seniority disputes that have arisen during the merger process with Asiana Airlines.
Seniority is a critical factor that affects not only the promotion order for pilots but also the types of aircraft they operate, flight routes, monthly flight hours, and wage structures. The criteria for reassigning seniority can significantly alter individual pilots' promotion timelines. Korean Air is working to establish a unified seniority system for pilots from both airlines as part of the merger.
Despite four rounds of negotiations over the seniority integration plan, the two sides have failed to reach an agreement. Following a meeting at the end of last month that did not narrow their differences, the union decided to pursue both external protests and the acquisition of dispute rights. A union representative stated, "The company is the one that has divided the pilots of both airlines. They should not mislead the situation by setting a hierarchy without consulting either side and portraying those who raise objections as a group that disregards the other pilots."
The core issue lies in the differing fundamental perceptions of seniority between the union and management. Korean Air maintains that seniority falls under the company's inherent personnel authority, while the union argues that the collective agreement stipulates the need for mutual consent on the ranking system for flight crew members.
Recent amendments to labor union laws are expected to further inflame these labor disputes. The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated on September 3 that while management decisions regarding business performance bonuses are generally not subject to mandatory negotiations, changes in working conditions, such as reassignment or alterations in work patterns, could become subjects of negotiation and dispute if they are deemed to affect pilots' promotion order, status, and compensation.
Alongside the rally, the union is also working to secure dispute rights. Negotiations for the 2024 collective agreement and the 2025 wage agreement have not reached a consensus, prompting the union to request mediation from the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission the previous day. If the commission decides to suspend mediation, the union will gain dispute rights. The airline industry is classified as an essential public service under labor law, and the mediation period lasts 15 days from the date of application. If a strike occurs, it would mark the first labor action in nearly a decade since December 2016.
A Korean Air representative countered, "Promotion criteria are an inherent authority of the employer. Based on an analysis reflecting the scale of the fleet and the need for pilots after the merger, we found that the promotion timeline for Korean Air pilots has not been delayed compared to pre-merger expectations; in fact, over 90% are expected to be expedited."
The representative added, "The company has already developed a promotion ranking plan through external consulting to minimize unnecessary conflicts between pilots of both airlines. We urge the union to cease extreme and unilateral claims that hinder the merger and to stop the dispute resolution process."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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