TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Taiwan Railway Corporation (TRC) has reached an agreement with the union to raise the minimum monthly wage for its staff by NT$3,140 (US$98), the company said Tuesday (Oct. 22).

The employees on the 11th and lowest tier of the pay grade hierarchy at TRC will receive a starting salary of NT$36,140 per month, the Liberty Times reported. The pay raises ranged from NT$1,800 to NT$3,140, with the highest increase reserved for the lowest-paid workers. 

Fixed salaries are becoming a larger part of overall wages, including sums that had been considered occasional bonuses, officials said. However, the union reportedly abandoned its earlier opposition against the payment of holiday bonuses in the form of vouchers, per Radio Taiwan International.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said the TRC and the union had reached a consensus that staff working on major traditional holidays would each receive NT$1,500 worth of vouchers per extra day worked. The TRC board voted on the measure for this year but will consider changing the bonus to cash next year, the MOTC said.