Government may intervene in Asiana Airlines strike

Airline Industry Information, August 4, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

South Korea's Labour Ministry has warned the striking pilots at Asiana Airlines that the government will intervene in the dispute if a settlement is not agreed.

The strike by unionised pilots at the airline started on 17 July, with the pilots calling for more rest days between flights, an increase of the retirement age from 55 to 60, and a greater say in management decisions.

The action has forced Asiana to cancel all cargo flights, as well as about half of its domestic flights and many international services including its route to and from Sydney, Australia.

Labour minister Kim Dae-hwan has now said that if the pilots' union does not reach an agreement with airline management by the coming weekend, the government intends to take special measures, such as invoking its emergency power to settle labour disputes.

Commenting on the announcement, a union spokesman expressed the opinion that "there is a very low possibility" that the government would intervene.

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