200 in airport go-slow
About 200 disgruntled airport workers began a go-slow at the airport last night as part of a protest over changes in allowances.
About 800 more staff of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co (Haeco), the biggest flight maintenance company in Hong Kong, are expected to join the industrial action this morning.
Another 70 who are on days off will stage a sit-in at the airport in support.
Haeco Employee Union spokesman Lai Sek-keung described the decision to take the action as a last resort.
'We do not want to cause inconvenience to passengers, but we are simply left with no choice. [Management] have never been willing to talk to us to resolve the row,' he said.
Last night's action is in protest against a proposal to cut overtime allowances by up to 16 per cent in the wake of falling business due to the economic downturn.
Mr Lai said staff were opposed to the mandatory transfer of some employees to overseas depots.
'This amounts to a way to force us to leave to achieve their cost-cutting purpose,' Mr Lai said.
Haeco management could not be contacted for comment last night.
A spokesman for the Airport Authority said no flights had been affected, despite company warnings maintenance time would be doubled.
