From May 13-June 6, BR flight attendants will be holding a strike vote in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Kaohsiung. According to the union, 2400 of the 3000 BR flight attendants, in addition to the 2800/5600 TFAU members, must approve the strike for it to go through.
Their demands are as follows:
- Flight Time and Rest Requirements
- Flight time (including reporting and arrival time) 5-8 hours will require 12 hours rest
- Flight time 8-12 hours will require 32 hours rest
- Flight time 12-16 hours will require 48 hours rest
- Flight time 16-18 hours will require 52 hours rest
- BR's Response: BR198 (TPE-TYO) is overnight; TPE-PNH/PEK will be a rotational schedule with 15 days off in the month; TPE-Shenyang will be double crewed
- Per Diem Changes
- Increase the per diem from NT90 to NT150 per hour, while maintaining the current breakfast plans and calculation time (Scan-in at beginning of trip to scan-out)
- If non-union members receive this benefit, the amount goes up to NT210/hour.
- BR's Response: Increase per-diem at more expensive outstations; greater coverage of meal costs; Will not discriminate against non-union members; Will give a safety bonus for flights that operate within 22:00-06:00 at NT500 at flight
- Union members are guaranteed 123 days of leave a year. If they are not given the 123 days, the days not given are to be paid out in a lump sum the following year's January 1st, with the sum including the basic pay+flight pay+per-diem. Non-members are not to receive the lump sum.
- Union members will receive double-pay for duties on National Holidays. Non-union members will not receive this benefit.
- Whenever there is a disciplinary hearing or investigation, union members will be represented by a union official, and union members will be allowed to add to the record/vote. The union will hold 50% or more of the votes whenever it involves discipline.
- BR's Response: This will never happen.
- Annual Leave Calculation shall be 1 day of AL for every 2 flight hours. Non-union members shall not receive this calculation.
- BR's Response: We can provide 1 day AL for each flight worked but not every 2 hours. Everyone must get it.
- Minimum 60-hour work month
- Pay guaranteed for at least 60 hours per month
- Flight pay is to be paid at
- Less than or equal to 60-1.5x
- 60-75 hours-1.75x
- 75-90 hours-2.5x
- 90 and above-3.5x
- Non-union members are not to receive this.
- BR's Response: Members can request to be released from their contract early and find other employment. Current salary cannot be negotiated as we are a private company that must account for profit/loss. We have competitive pay and have provided salary increases every year.
The union also accuses the company of waging a public campaign against the union by using news releases and the government. The company has released multiple statements stating negotiation results and the per-diem report. BR has pretty much summed it up in a memo as "'we are prepared for the strike and will not give in to the anti-free loading provisions or any provisions that affect discipline/management."
The union also accuses the company of engaging in union-busting and intimidation tactics, such as bringing in members for 'consultations' and asking members if they'll work during the strike or not.
The government will be hosting arbitration in the coming weeks for both sides.
Chairman Lin has sued the union for accusing him of colluding with the local government. He claims defamation.
A non-union member has accused the company's unionized workforce of intimidation and the creation of a hostile workplace. She accuses union leaders of encouraging members to call her the
"company's dog", "kiss up", "management's insect" and other statements. The Taoyuan government is investigating. BR reminds employees that engaging in union activities or discussions while on the clock or on company property will result in termination. The union claims ignorance, and says they wish these people will join the union but won't use intimidation.