Korean Air union withdraws mediation request; pilot seniority likely to be discussed separately after wage and collective bargaining

[Financial News] The Korean Air Pilots Union (KAPU) has averted the threat of a strike for the first time in 10 years by withdrawing its request for mediation of a labor dispute. The issue of pilot seniority, the main point of contention, is expected to be discussed separately after wage and collective bargaining negotiations are concluded.
According to industry sources on the 7th, the union withdrew its request for mediation of the labor dispute following a recommendation from the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission. The commission said labor-management negotiations had become difficult after the issue of pilot seniority arising from the December integration of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines was added to discussions on wages and the collective agreement.
The union had applied for mediation of the labor dispute in July. After the “seven-day strike” in December 2016, concerns emerged that a strike could be carried out for the first time in 10 years. The threat of a strike has now eased for the time being, following the labor commission’s recommendation that the contentious pilot seniority issue be handled separately.
The union and management accepted the labor commission’s recommendation and agreed to set aside the pilot seniority issue and resume wage and collective bargaining. They will negotiate through the 27th over the unfinished 2024 collective agreement and 2025 wage agreement. The negotiation period can be extended by mutual agreement.
The pilot seniority issue is expected to be discussed after the wage and collective agreements are finalized. Citing Article 24 of the collective agreement, which states, “The company shall comply with the system for ranking flight crew members by seniority as agreed upon by labor and management,” the union argues that labor-management consultations are necessary. Korean Air, meanwhile, maintains that its proposed promotion-ranking plan is neutral and was developed with the help of external consultants, and that seniority falls under the company’s own personnel authority and therefore was never subject to labor dispute in the first place.
A Korean Air official said, “The company will engage sincerely in future negotiations to reach an amicable settlement in accordance with established standards and principles.”
[email protected] Kim Yun-ho Reporter