Flights cancelled in South Korea as airline workers strike

Airline Industry Information, June 13, 2001

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

More than 50% of the flights scheduled by Korean Air and Asiana Airlines of South Korea were cancelled on Tuesday (12 June) as thousands of airline workers went on strike to demand higher wages and improved employment conditions.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, an umbrella labour group, stated that the airline workers were among 55,000 workers who engaged in strike action, while the Labour Ministry claimed that only 15,000 workers joined the strike because some disputes were resolved at the last minute, according to The Associated Press. Other industries hit by strike action included the metals and chemical industries.

Korean Air cancelled about 40 of its 89 international flights and 219 of its 240 domestic flights. Asiana Airlines cancelled 123 of its 205 domestic flights, but its international flights were not affected. Korean Air also cancelled 12 of its 18 cargo flights.

The government has ruled that the strike action was illegal and Korean Air has apparently sued 30 union leaders over the action.

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