Korean Air, Asiana hit by labour dispute

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are grappling with escalating labour-management conflicts because the two carriers are seeking to downsize their workforces and reduce employee benefits amid worsening business conditions. The pilot union at Korean Air has been taking action to disrupt company operations, rather than staging a full-scale strike. Unionised cabin crew members at Asiana, who oppose the airline's sweeping restructuring drive, have engaged in confrontations with the management. The Korean Air Pilot Union said Sunday that it has been taking all possible steps to force the company to accept its demand since its members overwhelmingly voted to strike Feb. 19. The union had demanded Korean Air to increase its base salary by 50%. But the management rejected this, asking pilots to accept a salary freeze <br/>