Flight attendants take to the streets in protest and are penalized; China Airlines: no job transfers

▲ China Airlines employees took to the packed Nanjing East Road on the 22nd to fight for their rights. (Photo / Screenshot from TVBS)

Life Center / Taipei Report

The third branch of the China Airlines labor union launched a protest involving a thousand people last week, expressing dissatisfaction over reduced year-end bonuses. It was reported that some employees were summoned by the airline for discussions about job transfers, prompting netizens to initiate a boycott. China Airlines responded that there was no job transfer, and the personnel structure remains under their original departments such as cabin crew, with no impact on their rights and benefits.

On January 22, China Airlines employees protested at the Taipei branch office. With this year’s revenue reaching NT$149.7 billion and oil prices dropping by over 50%, the year-end bonus was only NT$20,000. It was reported that employees who participated in the protest were targeted by the airline, with four flight attendants and one pilot being summoned for discussions about job transfers, sparking a netizen-led boycott of China Airlines during the holiday travel season. The movement to boycott the airline was initiated by Facebook users. In response, China Airlines stated that the China Airlines Corporate Union had proactively explained the situation to the Taoyuan City Labor Bureau on January 27, and will also cooperate and provide explanations when the Labor Bureau visits on January 29. There was no job transfer, and the personnel structure remains under their original departments such as cabin crew.

China Airlines’ full response is as follows:
1. The China Airlines Corporate Union has already proactively explained the situation to the Taoyuan City Labor Bureau on 1/27. Regarding the visit from the Ministry of Labor or the Labor Bureau on 1/29, China Airlines will fully cooperate and provide explanations. 2. China Airlines has strengthened observational learning and provided additional professional skill training for certain colleagues, but there has been no job transfer. The personnel structure remains under their original departments such as cabin crew, and they are still eligible to receive basic salaries and guaranteed flight hour allowances. Their labor rights and benefits have not been affected.
3. The aviation service industry requires professional training in patience, composure, and discipline to handle various situations. Otherwise, providing services in the confined cabin environment may affect the working atmosphere and emotions of fellow crew members, and may also cause passengers to doubt the quality of service we provide.
4. There is no margin for error when it comes to flight safety. Ensuring the safety and peace of mind of passengers is the most fundamental requirement of our service. Our company will continue to earn customer confidence and trust through safety and even higher-quality service.