Asiana Airlines pilots and management hold talks

Airline Industry Information, August 5, 2005

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

Executives of South Korea's Asiana Airlines were expected to meet with striking pilots on Friday (5 August) in an effort to resolve the dispute that has forced the airline to cancel many of its flights.

The unionised pilots at Asiana launched strike action on 17 July, demanding more rest days between flights, an increase of the retirement age from 55 to 60, and a greater say in management decisions. The airline management has apparently offered some concessions to the pilots, but not enough to end the strike.

The South Korean government has threatened to intervene in the dispute if a settlement is not agreed by this weekend (6-7 August). The government could invoke its emergency power to settle labour disputes and order the pilots to immediately end their strike for a period of 30 days.

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