The Taoyuan Union of Pilot (TUP) will be launching a vote on Friday on whether to strike for improvements to EVA Air’s operations. The union has also gone to the Transportation Ministry, demanding a deadline for meeting its standards or that the airline face traffic rights reductions.
TUP chairperson Li Hsin-yen (李信燕) says that EVA Air’s recent severe cost deductions have resulted in serious manpower losses and frequent safety accidents. She confirms that the vote, which will continue tallying until January 5, will determine whether the union will strike. If it proceeds, meetings will then be held to discuss time and method, all with the Taoyuan City Labor Bureau in attendance to verify.
However, EVA Air has issued a statement stating that the TUP has insisted on a 20% salary increase and higher outstation allowances. The airline refutes TUP claims that salaries have been frozen or even deemed reduced, stating that wages have actually been increased in 2023. EVA Air also disclosed that the three ground safety incidents that occurred this year were not caused by EVA Air but by foreign airline errors or local ground handling operations. It has called on the TUP to cease slander against the airline’s reputation.
The Transportation Ministry Civil Aviation Administration emphasized when accepting the TUP’s petition that it prioritizes flight safety and passenger rights and urges EVA Air to actively continue dialogue with the union.