Thai Airways Strike Called Off

[webfact]

THAI strike called off, meeting today

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- After calling off their strike for bigger bonuses and wages at midnight on Saturday, Thai Airways International's labour union will meet today with management to see if the airline has made enough profit last year to afford a bigger payout.

THAI president Sorajak Kasemsuwan said yesterday that the management respected the protesters' demand for no criminal or civil or even disciplinary action for the work stoppage. Sorajak repeated that another demand - that workers at the C1-C7 pay scales earning Bt7,000-Bt30,000 be given a 7.5-per-cent raise in salary - had been approved.

Today's meeting was the third demand. THAI's operating results are being examined by the Auditor-General's Office with the report usually publicised around February every year, he said. The 30-hour strike, which began Friday evening, delayed 76 flights.

A key reason for the strike was "insufficient communication" between employees and management, so the union should seek talks with management before deciding to launch any future strike, he said.

Jaemsri Sukchoterat, chairwoman of the THAI Stewardesses Association and leader of the union, repeated a demand by the union that chairman Ampon Kittiampon quit.

"THAI employees do not accept Mr Ampon. It will be unhappy for both sides if he stays on, so he should leave," she said. A THAI source said that last year's gross profit reached about Bt1.9 billion and net profit Bt800 million.

-- The Nation 2013-01-21

[Locationthailand]

"... labour union will meet today with management to see if the airline has made enough profit last year to afford a bigger payout."

What right does any 'Union' have to share in profits? Or is this simply more skimming by mafia as the corruption continues.

[webfact]

Transport Minister: 1-month bonus for THAI employees appropriate

BANGKOK, 21 January 2013 (NNT) - Transport Minister Chatchart Sitthipan has voiced that a one-month bonus for Thai Airways employees is appropriate, considering the amount of debts, profits, and long-term investment plan the nation carrier is shouldering.

THAI ground staffs went on strike on Friday afternoon and called it off on Sunday morning when the labor union agreed to wait for the Thai board’s decision on the increase in their bonus and salary increases. The transport minister said that the current one-month bonus offer was appropriate given its debt services, shareholders' dividends, and long-term investment plans, adding that THAI the one-month bonus for its 20,000 employees would cost the airline 1 billion baht.

Around 400 THAI employees were demanding that the company give them a two-month bonus and up to 7.5% salary increase. In response, Mr Chatchart said the increase must be based on the performance of THAI. In principle, the board could consider raising 7.5% of salary for employees who earn between 7,000-30,000 baht per month, or 30% of the company’s workforce. Those who hold executive positions will not be considered for the raise as they already have high income.

The Thai Airways has been ordered to submit an assessment of the damage caused by the strike to the Transport Ministry within this week.

-- NNT 2013-01-21

[webfact]

THAI agrees to strikers’ demands, employees back at work

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 21 – Thai Airways (THAI) management today bowed to employee demands for a pay hike and higher incentives, but stood firm that the one-month annual bonus remains unchanged.

THAI President Sorajak Kasemsuvan said employees at levels 1-7 will be entitled to an across-the-board 7.5 per cent salary increase but their demand for a higher bonus will be switched to a “diligent fee” or incentives.

He said the company’s original liquidity reserve of Bt200 million will be increased to Bt500 million to be paid as incentives to all employees.

The management and the labour union agreed that the one-month bonus, already approved by THAI board of directors, will not be adjusted though ground employees cited it as one of the demands during their strike which partially reduced THAI services and delayed several flights on the weekend.

Mr Sorajak said the agreed condition will be submitted to the board of directors Feb 8 for approval. The management also promised not to take disciplinary action against those involved in the work stoppage.

He said THAI will compensate the loss or damage incurred to passengers from the strike by offering a special gift package next month – the month of Valentine’s Day.

THAI labour union leader, Jaemsri Sukchoterat, said employees were satisfied with the management’s resolution and will wait for results of the board of directors’ meeting. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-21

[MaxLee]

So next time, Thai Airways staff demands a minimum wage of 100,000 baht per month for everyone, the presidential committee would be willing to "compensate for them" in order to save FACE and keep the operation going as if nothing ever happened?????

Thailand the hub for compensation.

Last 3 weeks ago, when i sent my older brother and his family to the airport, at business class counter, the THAI airways staff couldn't even figure out the connecting flight city, and needed almost an hour or so, in order to figure out the city's name and destination of the connecting flight????

Hello????? These stupid ch*****cks are working on Business and first class counter section. They are supposed to know most of the cities and countries, and for such a failure like that, as an example, THAI airways staff wants more bonus, for bad service???? Hello?????

My entire family almost got bullied by a drinker British guy, who ALMOST had enough, as the THAI AIRWAYS Business class staff struggled to get my brother and his family the connecting flight destination which was pre booked actually...

Edited January 21, 2013 by MaxLee

[ginjag]

So next time, Thai Airways staff demands a minimum wage of 100,000 baht per month for everyone, the presidential committee would be willing to "compensate for them" in order to save FACE and keep the operation going as if nothing ever happened?????

Thailand the hub for compensation.

Last 3 weeks ago, when i sent my older brother and his family to the airport, at business class counter, the THAI airways staff couldn't even figure out the connecting flight city, and needed almost an hour or so, in order to figure out the city's name and destination of the connecting flight????

Hello????? These stupid ch*****cks are working on Business and first class counter section. They are supposed to know most of the cities and countries, and for such a failure like that, as an example, THAI airways staff wants more bonus, for bad service???? Hello?????

My entire family almost got bullied by a drinker British guy, who ALMOST had enough, as the THAI AIRWAYS Business class staff struggled to get my brother and his family the connecting flight destination which was pre booked actually...

Who employed them in the first place ???? Thai personnel department ??? says a lot for their interviewing staff. OS do the new employees have to pay to get the position regardless off their ability...example police/civil servants.

[Moruya]

Mob rule pays high.

The billy-cart to Perdition. Free bananas for all.

[Greer]

Last 3 weeks ago, when i sent my older brother and his family to the airport, at business class counter, the THAI airways staff couldn't even figure out the connecting flight city, and needed almost an hour or so, in order to figure out the city's name and destination of the connecting flight????..............

...........My entire family almost got bullied by a drinker British guy, who ALMOST had enough, as the THAI AIRWAYS Business class staff struggled to get my brother and his family the connecting flight destination which was pre booked actually...

I don't understand how that could happen - if the flight was pre-booked, then it means the system already recognised the codes (which are all available for humans to see after a 2 second search on the internet). How could the airline staff not know the code for the connection if it was already part of the booking? I think something else was the problem - the connecting city names are not the issue; the airport code is all that is needed, and if pre-booked, it was already there, so something else caused the problem.

Edited January 21, 2013 by Greer

[webfact]

UPDATE

Union proposal sent to THAI board

Nongnapas Maipanich

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International's labour union has agreed to a one-month bonus and a Bt300-million increase in incentive allowances, which are expected to be proposed to the board of directors shortly.

Commenting on last week's job action that affected THAI services, union president Chamsri Sukchotirat said it wanted people to understand that it had no choice, as most of its earlier requests to the management had gone unheeded.

Now the union is threatening to stage another protest demanding the resignation of THAI board chairman Ampon Kittiampon if its bonus and incentive proposal is not dealt with to its satisfaction.

After a discussion yesterday with the union, THAI president Sorachak Kasemsuwan said the company had explained its reasons for a one-month bonus, and the union had asked for an increase in the incentive-allowance budget from Bt200 million to Bt500 million.

THAI employs 26,000 people.

The management will forward the proposal to the board of directors, whose next meeting is scheduled for February 8. The union said it would take no further job action for now, but could make no promises about what it would do after the board meeting.

The union has also requested that the salaries of employees at Levels 1 through 7 be raised by 7.5 per cent.

"Preliminarily, the [proposed] rise in the incentive allowance [budget] will affect the company's cash flow, but not for dividends to be paid to the shareholders. THAI will make dividend payments as planned earlier," Sorachak said.

Chamsri accepted the offer of a one-month bonus, but also proposed a rise in the budget for incentive pay for diligent employee performance.

Previously, Ampon created some confusion by saying this year's profit was expected to be Bt7 billion, allowing a one-month bonus payment and a 4.5-per-cent salary raise.

In 2009, THAI recorded a profit but made no bonus payments.

In an interview with Krungthep Turakit TV yesterday, former THAI president Piyasavasti Amranand said the protest by the union last Friday might have stemmed from its dissatisfaction with the company's management and board. The union might view that the company and board fail to provide staff clear information on the airline's financial situation.

He added that the aviation business was highly volatile and many factors could affect it, ranging from local politics to global situations to oil prices.

He emphasised that the company must be able to communicate effectively with its staff.

-- The Nation 2013-01-22

[Dork]

Last 3 weeks ago, when i sent my older brother and his family to the airport, at business class counter, the THAI airways staff couldn't even figure out the connecting flight city, and needed almost an hour or so, in order to figure out the city's name and destination of the connecting flight????..............

...........My entire family almost got bullied by a drinker British guy, who ALMOST had enough, as the THAI AIRWAYS Business class staff struggled to get my brother and his family the connecting flight destination which was pre booked actually...

I don't understand how that could happen - if the flight was pre-booked, then it means the system already recognised the codes (which are all available for humans to see after a 2 second search on the internet). How could the airline staff not know the code for the connection if it was already part of the booking? I think something else was the problem - the connecting city names are not the issue; the airport code is all that is needed, and if pre-booked, it was already there, so something else caused the problem.

Agree. I'd be looking at the drinker British guy who almost had enough.

[Valentine]

How about the unions making an offer to become more efficient & user friendly towards the people who do actually pay their salaries, the passengers. The airline management could also free up more funds to pay shareholders & staff by cutting back on all those freebies they give out to people who are already rich enough to buy first class tickets anyway.

[MaxLee]

Last 3 weeks ago, when i sent my older brother and his family to the airport, at business class counter, the THAI airways staff couldn't even figure out the connecting flight city, and needed almost an hour or so, in order to figure out the city's name and destination of the connecting flight????..............

...........My entire family almost got bullied by a drinker British guy, who ALMOST had enough, as the THAI AIRWAYS Business class staff struggled to get my brother and his family the connecting flight destination which was pre booked actually...

I don't understand how that could happen - if the flight was pre-booked, then it means the system already recognised the codes (which are all available for humans to see after a 2 second search on the internet). How could the airline staff not know the code for the connection if it was already part of the booking? I think something else was the problem - the connecting city names are not the issue; the airport code is all that is needed, and if pre-booked, it was already there, so something else caused the problem.

That's because FACE always comes first. Internal system problems under the table, which is categorized under the table as "WE DIDN'T KNOW", is rugged under table as is nothing should ever happen, until it really happened.

In other words, those ch*****cks, didn't know the airport code, city code for the city, because they only learnt the main cities of each country and that's that. But a business class to first class section in an airline is supposed to know most of the codes of the cities of each country worldwide, or otherwise it cannot be regarded as FIRST class service...

[geriatrickid]

How about the unions making an offer to become more efficient & user friendly towards the people who do actually pay their salaries, the passengers. The airline management could also free up more funds to pay shareholders & staff by cutting back on all those freebies they give out to people who are already rich enough to buy first class tickets anyway.

The staff are certainly more efficient and user friendly than most of their counterparts at other airlines. Be fair. TG personnel are infinitely better than some of the nasty people at DL, KLM, AA, LH, AC etc. My luggage comes out faster in crowded BKK than it does at CDG, LAX, JFK, FCO, YYZ etc. (No one beats HKG/ZRH/SIN FRA though.)

You are absolutely correct about cutting out the perks for various VIPs. It won't happen though. TG is considered the taxi service of every connected person in Thailand. Hisos will never forgo their guaranteed J/F seating rights. It is their divine right.

[Thai at Heart]

So this bonus pot may be worth 500mn, the salary increases worth 300mn.

someone mentioned that the profit last year was 700 mn. So, any investors in the stock have an opinion. What a ridiculous way to run any business.

[MaxLee]

Welcome to the wage hike revolution, folks

Edited January 24, 2013 by MaxLee