TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Railway Union (台鐵產業工會) launched a hunger strike on Thursday (Nov. 6) in Taipei to protest a Supreme Administrative Court (最高行政法院) ruling regarding legally mandated leave that the union deemed unjust. The union announced the strike outside the Taiwan Railway (台鐵) company's headquarters, stating it would last from 10 a.m. on Thursday until 2 p.m. on Monday (Nov. 10).
Union Secretary-General Chu Chih-yu (朱智宇) criticized the court's decision, which originally concerned disciplinary action taken against employees after the union campaigned to enforce legally mandated leave. The union then filed a lawsuit, and the Supreme Administrative Court sided with the union in its first ruling, but changed its verdict on appeal. In response, the union initiated the five-day hunger strike. Chairman Tsao Chia-chun (曹嘉君) emphasized that the right to legally mandated leave represents employees' outcry against poor treatment, condemning the court's ruling as a significant reversal.
Chu Chia-yun (曲佳雲), Vice Chairman of the "Taiwan Workers' Struggle Federation" (台灣工人鬥陣總工會), stressed that taking leave according to the law is a labor right. Chu referenced an incident involving an EVA Air (長榮空) flight attendant who passed away while on duty, too afraid to take leave, urging the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (交通部) to devise a solution.
Taiwan Railway responded by stating that all attendance systems comply with the Labor Standards Act (勞動基準法) and that they respect the judicial ruling. The company highlighted its commitment to safety and stability as primary principles. Additionally, Taiwan Railway expressed an open attitude toward employee opinions and demands, stating that it communicates through various channels to promote labor-management harmony.