Wage talks between Asiana Airlines, unionized pilots break down

Asiana Airlines' unionized pilots said Friday they have brought a wage dispute with the air carrier to the state labor relations commission for arbitration after failing to reach an agreement. "We declared the breakdown of talks as of noon," an official from the labor union of Asiana Airlines pilots told Yonhap News Agency. The union had pushed for an 8.5% increase in basic salary with additional bonuses, while the management countered with a 7.5% increase in basic salary, along with a rise in flight allowance. The latest development came after the pilot union previously engaged in a work-to-rule protest last year amid prolonged wage negotiations with management. Asiana Airlines, Korea's second-largest full-service air carrier, said it will keep talking with the labor union and make constant efforts to reach an agreement. <br/>