Korean Air pilots have begun preparations for a lawsuit, demanding the inclusion of flight allowances in their regular wages.
According to the Korean Air pilots' union on the 30th, over 1,200 union members have expressed their intent to participate in the lawsuit to include flight allowances in regular wages, which is more than half of the total union membership. The union, which began related work in March, plans to proceed with the lawsuit as soon as it selects a law firm.
The pilots' union argues that flight allowances, which are paid based on flight hours, should be considered as part of regular wages. Previously, five workers, including Asiana Airlines pilots, filed a related lawsuit against the company, and in July 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that "the flight allowance varies according to the flight hours and the amount paid, thus lacking stability to be deemed regular wages."
However, following the abolishment of the stability requirement among the criteria for determining regular wages that had been applied since last December, there has been a surge in union activities. A representative from the Korean Air pilots' union noted, "There are many aspects that can be won, regardless of the stability requirement among the criteria for regular wages. We estimate the likelihood of winning to be over 80%."
Korean Air maintains that it cannot recognize flight allowances as part of regular wages. A representative from Korean Air stated, "Bonuses are recognized as regular wages and will be paid retroactively, and the 229-hour monthly regular wage benchmark has proactively been changed to 209 hours," adding, "The guaranteed flight allowance for 75 hours of flight crew (pilots) does not qualify as regular wages."
If the Korean Air pilots' union succeeds in incorporating flight allowances into regular wages, it is expected to influence wage systems at other airlines.
Previously, the Korean Air union approved a tentative wage negotiation agreement that adjusts the base salary within a total of 2.7% and includes an 850% bonus as part of regular wages, which covers overtime pay (for extended hours, night shifts, and holidays) and annual leave pay. The benchmark for regular working hours was also agreed to be changed from 226 hours to 209 hours. This agreement is estimated to result in about a 7% increase in the actual wages received by staff working in Korean Air's cabin and maintenance operations.