On union demand that pilots set pilot rankings, Korean Air says objective safety standards are complete

Korean Air says it has completed an objective promotion-ranking system for pilots as it rejects the union’s demand to participate in setting seniority after the integration with Asiana Airlines.

The pilots’ union filed for labor-dispute mediation while arguing that it should help determine the rankings of pilot employees following the merger. Korean Air said the issue could not be subject to labor-dispute mediation.

In an official statement on the 8th, the airline said the decision over whom to promote under reasonable criteria belongs to the employer as part of its inherent personnel authority. It accused the pilots’ union of making an extreme and one-sided demand during the integration process.

Korean Air said it had used outside consulting and other measures to create promotion rankings that were objective and defensible. The plan, it said, aims to minimize unnecessary conflict between pilots from the two airlines and ensure safe operations.

The union, however, is reportedly demanding that Korean Air pilots be promoted ahead of pilots from Asiana Airlines in all cases. It has also asked the company not to recognize the existing experience and qualifications of Asiana pilots.