Korean Air Signs 2022 Wage and Collective Agreement with Pilots Union

Final Agreement on Wage and Labor Negotiations Including 10% Wage Increase

On the afternoon of the 4th, Korean Air held the '2022 Pilot Union Collective Bargaining Agreement Signing Ceremony' at its headquarters in Gonghang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. The photo shows Woo Ki-hong, President of Korean Air (left), and Nam Jin-guk, Chairman of the Pilot Union, posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by Woo Ki-hong

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] On the 4th, Korean Air held a signing ceremony for the pilot union's collective bargaining agreement at the Korean Air headquarters located in Gonghang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, attended by Woo Ki-hong, President of Korean Air, and Nam Jin-guk, Chairman of the Korean Air Pilots Union (hereafter referred to as the Pilot Union). Through this signing ceremony, they also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the safety operation system with one heart and one mind.

Both labor and management agreed on the following through this collective bargaining agreement: ▲a 10% wage increase ▲extended rest time on transpacific routes ▲provision of two Prestige Class seats annually ▲annual increase in overseas stay allowances. Notably, the 10% wage increase reflects the management's intention to share the achievements of nine consecutive quarters of profit despite the global aviation industry's crisis caused by COVID-19 with the employees.

President Woo Ki-hong stated, "The company will focus its capabilities on re-examining and renewing the safety operation system from a zero base, strengthen communication with employees to shift safety awareness, and continue close cooperation with the labor union." He added, "I ask the labor union to actively participate in safety assurance efforts with a sense of ownership, responsible for the safety of the company and customers."

Chairman Nam Jin-guk said, "The union will never forget that safe operation is the top priority and will do its best, and I hope the company will listen more attentively to the union's voice." He also expressed, "I hope this occasion will raise trust between the company and the union and further solidify the value of safe operation."

The process of the pilot union's collective bargaining agreement was not always smooth. Despite two agreements in March and June, the executive committee resigned en masse due to opposition from union members, causing difficulties. However, with the inauguration of a new executive committee in September, they actively engaged in field activities such as holding meetings to listen to union members' opinions. Through these communication efforts and mutual understanding and concessions, a final agreement was reached.

Meanwhile, Korean Air had already signed a collective bargaining agreement with the Korean Air Labor Union in June. With the signing of the collective bargaining agreement with the pilot union this time, all labor-management collective bargaining agreements have been completed, ending the labor-management struggles that lasted over a year. Korean Air plans to foster a cooperative labor-management atmosphere and focus all efforts on responding to the business environment following the normalization of the aviation industry.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.