A union representing pilots of EVA Airways yesterday said that it does not exclude the possibility of going on strike during the Lunar New Year holiday if it secures the right to do so through a voting process that is to end on Tuesday next week.
The Taoyuan Union of Pilots, which has members from EVA Airways, China Airlines, Starlux Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan, began a vote on Dec. 22 among EVA Airways pilots to secure authorization for a strike.
The union from Jan. 8 allowed members who are not EVA Airways pilots to vote.
Photo: Cheng Wei-chi, Taipei Times
Given the high turnout, the union said that it is expected to secure the right to strike.
“Since the vote began last year, EVA Airways has refused to engage in formal and substantial negotiations over the appeals brought up by the union,” it said. “Once the results of the vote are confirmed on Tuesday, we will immediately begin planning for the strike and do not exclude the possibility of doing so during the Lunar New Year holiday.”
If a strike is launched, the union said that it would make an announcement at least 24 hours before the action to avoid inconveniencing passengers.
EVA Airways said that it respects the union’s right to organize a strike, adding that it would not give up any opportunity to negotiate.
The airline last month said that it would distribute year-end bonuses of six months’ pay on average and give employees raises.
It offered salary increases of NT$5,000 on average for ground crew and flight attendants, and between NT$11,000 and NT$20,000 for pilots depending on their position.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Civil Aviation Administration did not comment on the matter.
The union accused the airline of threatening pilots by distributing a questionnaire, asking if the pilots would be willing to support the company’s operations during a strike.
“The move exposed the attempt of the company to disrupt the strike and could constitute an unfair labor practice. We will continue to collect evidence to report to the labor department,” the union said.
The airline was fined by the Taoyuan Department of Labor last month for contravening the Employment Service Act (就業服務法) by recruiting foreign pilots who do not have operating licenses for the specific aircraft it owns, the union said.
However, the airline continued to ignore the labor regulations by recruiting unqualified pilots from overseas, threatening passenger safety, it said.
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