The Taoyuan Union of Pilots (TUP) announced Sunday night that it had reached an agreement with EVA Airways and will not strike during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. The threat of a strike had been looming over travelers ahead of the national holiday, which is one of Taiwan’s busiest travel seasons.
The union says that the deal with the airline addressed each of its main demands. EVA will raise the basic monthly salary for pilots by NT$10,000-13,500 (US$320-432) depending on their level. The airline also agreed to periodically review the international allowance given to pilots and will increase its current rate in the first half of 2024. EVA Air also agreed to only hire pilots who are Taiwanese nationals unless there is a “special need”, and such exceptions would be reviewed by the Ministry of Labor and the Civil Aeronautics Administration. As part of the deal, the union has agreed not to engage in strike activities until May 31, 2026.
Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) speaking to reporters Monday, said that pilots are essential to flight safety and an important asset for airlines. He says that pilots faced a difficult time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now that demand for flights has skyrocketed, it has put pressure on manpower needs.
He says pilots deserve to have more reasonable wages during this time, and Taiwan should aim to train more local pilots. Furthermore, he says that international allowances protect pilots and should reflect the local prices where pilots are stationed.