EVA Airways pilots could go on strike during the Lunar New Year and Tomb-Sweeping Festival if no agreement is reached with the airline, the Taoyuan Union of Pilots said in a statement yesterday.
The union’s board of directors convened yesterday to discuss details of the planned strike after the union and airline on Wednesday failed to reach a consensus following negotiations.
The board decided that the potential strike could take place between Feb. 7 and Feb. 18, and between March 30 and April 7.
Photo: Taipei Times
The announcement is for people who are scheduled to travel during the two holidays to prepare backup plans in advance, the union said.
“We will announce the start and the end of the strike and other relevant information on our Web site, www.tup.org.tw, 24 hours before the strike begins,” the union said.
The board meeting has authorized union staff to organize two or three drills before the strike to ensure that union members can accurately follow instructions when the strike begins, the union said.
“We are not giving up any opportunity to negotiate with EVA Airways management and will seek every opportunity to reach an agreement with the airline,” the union said. “As long as the airline gives concrete responses to our demands before the scheduled meeting on Wednesday, we would participate in the negotiation as planned.”
The Civil Aviation Administration in a statement urged the airline and its pilots to continue negotiations following the meeting on Wednesday.
Both sides should consider travelers’ interests and try to settle the dispute by showing goodwill and seeking a consensus, it said.
The union’s announcement has added to uncertainty for travelers, the agency said, adding that EVA Airways has been asked to deliver contingency plans for possible scenarios during the strike and put them on the airline’s Web site.
Taoyuan International Airport Corp, the operator of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, must also prepare for potential disruptions to flight services during the strike and respond accordingly, it added.
EVA Airways in a statement said that it would continue to negotiate with the union in the hope of reaching an agreement.
“If the union proceeds to strike, we would announce the flights affected on our official Web site and app. There would also be a specific Web page informing travelers about flight information updates,” the airline said.
Travelers affected by the strike would be able to request refunds or change tickets without any processing fees, the airline said, adding that it would do its best to help people transfer to other flights.
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