✈️ Taiwan’s Supreme Court Dismisses EVA Airways’ NT$34 Million Lawsuit Against Union Over 2019 Strike

In a landmark labor rights decision, Taiwan’s Supreme Court has rejected EVA Airways’ appeal seeking NT$34 million (approximately US$1.05 million) in damages from the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union (TFAU) for losses incurred during the 17-day strike in 2019, the longest airline strike in Taiwan’s aviation history.

The verdict not only upholds lower court rulings in favor of the union but also sets a significant legal precedent affirming the right to strike without punitive financial consequences, reinforcing protections for organized labor in Taiwan.

⚖️ What Was the Lawsuit About?

EVA Airways filed the civil lawsuit against the TFAU in 2020, blaming the union for “disproportionate financial damage” caused during the strike, which grounded over 1,400 flights and disrupted travel plans for tens of thousands of passengers. The company argued that the union’s actions violated the principle of proportionality, a key concept in Taiwan’s labor dispute resolution system.

The airline alleged that:

• The union used “excessive pressure” by targeting peak summer travel.
• The strike was politically motivated.
• Damages from canceled flights, reputational loss, and compensation claims were unfairly inflicted.

However, Taiwan’s High Court had ruled in 2023 that the strike was legally conducted, after following proper labor dispute protocols under the Act for Settlement of Labor-Management Disputes. The Supreme Court upheld that decision in April 2025.

👥 Why the Strike Happened: A Brief Background

The 2019 strike was launched by the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union after failed negotiations on several demands, including:

• Higher daily layover allowances.
• Better rest time during long-haul flights.
• Equal treatment for union and non-union members.
• A transparent performance bonus system.

Despite public backlash and pressure from EVA management, the union mobilized over 2,300 cabin crew members. The prolonged industrial action drew widespread media attention and became a flashpoint in Taiwan’s broader labor rights movement.

🧠 Why This Ruling Matters: Analysis and Impact

The Supreme Court’s ruling is more than just a win for TFAU. It reinforces the legitimacy of organized labor actions and clarifies that employers cannot retroactively penalize unions financially for economic losses caused by legally sanctioned strikes.

“If the court had sided with EVA, it would have had a chilling effect on labor activism in Taiwan,” said labor law expert Prof. Lin Mei-hua from National Chengchi University. “This decision protects the collective bargaining process.”

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Legal strikes causing business losses are not grounds for compensation claims.
• Companies cannot suppress labor rights through civil litigation.
• The judiciary recognizes the broader public interest in protecting union actions.

🧭 What This Means for Taiwan’s Labor Landscape

Taiwan has seen a growing number of labor actions in recent years—from airline staff to delivery drivers—amid rising inflation, stagnant wages, and concerns about exploitative work hours.

The EVA vs. TFAU case could now serve as:

• A blueprint for unions defending strike actions in court.
• A deterrent against corporate retaliation via financial lawsuits.
• A foundation for more robust collective bargaining laws in Taiwan.

✈️ EVA Airways’ Response

EVA Airways issued a brief statement expressing “regret” over the ruling but stated that it would “respect the judiciary’s final decision.” It also reaffirmed its commitment to “maintaining open communication with employees to avoid future conflict.”

However, aviation industry insiders note that corporate-union tensions remain high, particularly with ongoing discussions about AI-powered scheduling systems and stricter crew regulations post-pandemic.

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