Korean Air Faces a Seniority Hurdle Ahead of Integration as Pilots' Union Considers Strike

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[The Financial News] The Korean Air Pilots' Union is stepping up its fight over the seniority dispute that has surfaced during the integration process with Asiana Airlines. The union has begun discussing the formation of a Strike Countermeasures Committee and future action plans, increasing pressure on management.
According to the airline industry on the 11th, the Korean Air Pilots' Union will hold its fourth extraordinary delegates' meeting on the 12th to discuss response measures related to the seniority dispute. The agenda includes the formation of a Strike Countermeasures Committee, an explanation of the seniority public hearing, future protest plans, and matters related to defamation complaints and accusations involving APU.
Seniority is a key standard that affects a pilot's hiring order, aircraft transition, promotion, and pay structure. Since the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, labor and management have remained at odds over how to determine the ranking of pilots from the two carriers.
The Korean Air Pilots' Union says the existing seniority system for Korean Air pilots must be maintained. The company, meanwhile, is reportedly seeking a new standard suited to the launch of the merged airline.
The union argued that simply combining seniority based on military discharge dates is unreasonable. It said long-serving employees or certain groups could be placed at a relative disadvantage. Disputes over the criteria for promotion to Captain are also continuing.
Korean Air first officers must meet requirements under the Flight Operations Administration Manual (FOAM) to be considered for promotion to Captain. These include five years after appointment as a first officer, 2,500 to 3,000 flight hours after joining the company, and 350 landings. However, concerns have been raised within the union that some standards may be applied differently to Asiana Airlines pilots. Asiana Airlines pilots, however, say that only three to four of the more than 800 first officers do not meet the requirements, and they are rejecting the Korean Air Pilots' Union's claims as untrue.
At its regular general meeting last month, the Korean Air Pilots' Union held a vote on industrial action and approved it with 57.6% of members in favor. Since then, the union has been discussing response scenarios, including the possibility of a strike.
The airline industry says the seniority issue could drag on, as it is directly tied to pilot treatment ahead of the launch of the merged carrier. In particular, pilot ranking is linked to international route captain promotions, route assignments, and wage structures, leaving the interests of pilots at the two airlines sharply divided. A Korean Air official said, "We will continue to engage in dialogue with the union."
hoya0222@fnnews.com Kim Dong-ho Reporter