Cathay Pacific flight attendants may take action over 5pc pay claim
Cathay Pacific flight attendants could take industrial action in support of their 5 per cent pay claim after management yesterday announced an average 2 per cent pay rise for Hong Kong ground staff and cabin crew.
Jenny Tang, an executive committee member of the Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants Union, said the union would hold a rally at lunchtime on Monday in the airport departures hall to protest at the low wage increase. Members would then decide on further action.
Tang said the union was "very disappointed" by the pay rise, which was "a corporate decision" without "any negotiation" and was below current inflation levels. She said the management's decision did not take into account other issues, including housing allowances and improved medical benefits, that the union wanted addressed.
The latest pay increase is less than the average 5 per cent rise, plus discretionary 13th-month bonus, for Hong Kong staff announced by the airline a year ago.
Commenting on the latest pay award, Cathay Pacific chief executive John Slosar said in a statement: "2012 has been an extremely challenging year, just as we said it would be. Even so, I believe that the Cathay team has performed admirably. And when times are tough, even very tough, Cathay Pacific has provided salary increases to eligible staff."
High fuel and other operating costs plus slowing passenger and cargo demand have hit earnings.
