Logo

TRA disruptions for upcoming long holidays expected as union, MOTC talks fail

TRA disruptions for upcoming long holidays expected as union, MOTC talks fail

2022-08-02

The Taiwan Railways Administration workers’ union has said that workers will not work upcoming holidays, and that it is not ruling out a full strike in November. The union and the transport ministry have failed to reach a consensus on workers’ pay and benefits, among other issues related to the planned corporatization of the TRA. If the two sides can’t work things out in time, the union says it may strike during November’s local elections, which may have a big impact on voter turnout.

A refusal by railway workers to work during the Labor Day holiday back in May resulted in the transport ministry replacing trains with buses for the weekend. Now with the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays fast approaching, the railway union says workers may again refuse to work. It’s calling for roughly 1,500 train drivers nationwide to take the holidays off.

Member of public
During holidays people like to travel. Now with this type of thing happening, lots of people’s plans are going to be affected.

Member of public
When they suddenly stop working like this they may have their reasons, but for the public it’s very inconvenient.

Members of the public express concerns about the impact of a potential railway disruption on holiday travel. Meanwhile, the union says the number of trains that will operate during the two upcoming holidays may be even smaller than the 18 services that were offered on Labor Day. The union says similar action may be taken during the local elections in November, and it will not rule out taking further action with a strike.

Wu Chang-chih
TRA union
As for the local elections, on the day of the elections we will first go through legal procedures to obtain the right to vote. During local elections we will be taking more than just one day off.

Member of public
The voting rate is going to decline, because there are a lot of people from Southern Taiwan who have to go back. These workers can protect their rights, but they shouldn’t do it in a way that seems like they’re punishing everyone. Doing it this way burdens everyone.

With concerns arising that the next disruption of train services may last more than just a single day, the transport ministry met with the union to discuss its concerns. However, when talks on the corporatization of the TRA turned to workers’ salaries and benefits, the two sides again reached an impasse.

Su Tseng-chang
Premier
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has already made promises to TRA workers regarding the company’s corporatization. Now let’s work together to win back the public trust.

With the TRA union and the transport ministry still unable to reach a consensus workers’ pay and other issues, more railways disruptions may be on the horizon. Transport minister Wang Kwo-tsai says he will continue to pursue dialogue with the union.

中秋節恐沒火車可搭? 台鐵工會再醞釀"不加班"

2022-08-02

台鐵五一勞動節發起不加班行動後,導致列車停開,後續持續和交通部協商公司化子法,依舊沒共識,接下來的中秋、國慶都將再發起合法休假,喊出要讓列車班次,比5/1的18班更少,也將表決年底的九合一大選,要讓不加班行動拉長到不只一天。對此,交通部長王國材表示會持續溝通,希望達成共識。

五一勞動節,台鐵企業工會發起"不加班",只好讓遊覽車化身"類火車"疏運。即將到來的中秋節、國慶日,工會醞釀再發動合法休假,目標讓全台約1500名司機員都不出勤。

[[民眾]]
“放假都會出去玩,今天發生這種狀況,很多人的行程都會受影響”

[[民眾]]
“突然停開,對他們來說可能會有他們的觀點,但是對民眾來說就是會不方便”

擔心"類火車"又重出江湖,民眾直呼不方便。工會揚言兩大節日要讓開車班次,比勞動節的18班更少,11月的九合一大選,也將要進一步開會表決,發起不加班行動,甚至有可能進一步升級成罷工。

[[台鐵企業工會秘書 吳長智]]
“九合一的部分,在選舉當天,我們有走另外一個合法程序,先取得一個罷工權,在九合一來講,休假我們會不只一天”

[[民眾]]
“投票率會降低吧,因為很多南部人啊,可以維護自己的權益,但不應該是有點像懲罰大家,因為這樣是大家一起承擔”

影響層面恐怕擴大到不只一天,工會和交通部討論公司化子法,針對員工薪資待遇及福利金協商再破局。

[[行政院長 蘇貞昌]]
“交通部對於相關,台鐵公司化運作都已經有對台鐵員工有相關的承諾,一起讓台鐵能夠再贏回社會大眾的信任”

面對工會火力全開,就是要讓火車停開,交通部長王國材強調會持續溝通,希望能逐漸達成共識。

Related News

Pokemon news: a fruity Pikachu comes to Taipei; update on Pokemon Grandpa

2022-08-02

United we thrive: entrepreneurs explain how they built Japanese restaurant chain

2022-08-02

Top doctor dedicates himself to serving rural communities of Taitung

2022-08-02

Hotel occupancy recovering as subsidies get tourists traveling around Taiwan

2022-08-02

Taiwan-made and imported car prices set to go up in August

2022-08-02

China suspends imports of more than 3,000 Taiwanese food products

2022-08-02