 The three week strike has crippled cargo flights |
The South Korean government has acted to end a crippling pilots' strike at the country's second largest airline. It is invoking emergency powers to force the Asiana Airlines pilots, who have stayed away from work for 25 days, back to work immediately.
Under the law, they are prevented from resuming strike action for 30 days.
The government said the action would end the economic damage caused by the strike but unions said they would consider more widespread disruptions.
More than 2,200 flights have been cancelled during the dispute, estimated to have cost the airline 250bn won ($253m).
Economic blow
About 400 unionised pilots walked out on 17 July, setting out a number of demands such as more rest days, a rise in the compulsory retirement age from 55 to 58 and greater input into the airline's business strategy.
The strike has severely disrupted domestic and international flights and forced the airline to cancel all cargo flights.
The government intervened after talks between the airline's management and unions broke down.
In doing so, it is using emergency powers designed to safeguard industries considered critical to the national economy.
The powers have only be used twice before, in 1969 and most recently in 1993 to end a strike at Hyundai Motors.
 Striking pilots are demanding more say over how the company is run |
"The emergency arbitration is inevitable as the strike is dealing a blow to our exports and tourism," said Labour Minister Kim Dae-Hwan.
"The government will take stern measures if the pilots continue their labour action."
Union anger
However, Korea's Confederation of Trade Unions warned that it would mobilize workers for a series of protests against the government action and would consider wider strike action.
During the 30-day cooling-off period, the dispute will be referred to a labour commission.
The body has the authority to force the sides into compulsory arbitration, at which the dispute could be settled in the public interest.
The strike has enjoyed little public support because it has disrupted services at the peak of the holiday season.
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The government will take stern measures if the pilots continue their labour action
