Work-to-rule protest looms at Cathay Pacific amid deadlock over pay

Cathay Pacific passengers should brace for possible industrial action after the association representing cockpit crew stepped up its preparations for a work-to-rule protest.

The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association recently sent a letter to its 1,900 members, telling them what they should do and be aware of in the event of a work-to-rule, or contract compliance, sources close to the union say.

"Basically all the newsletter says is follow your contract, no more, no less. Contract compliance is in essence the withdrawal of goodwill, something that the company has been relying on for far too long without acknowledging it," a source said.

In September last year, about 90 per cent of the association's members voted for a motion that authorised it to press ahead with industrial action if the airline did not give a satisfactory reply to the association's undisclosed pay rise demands. But the association decided against the action and started talks with the airline around the end of last year.

The airline has a total of about 2,900 pilots.

General secretary Chris Beebe said the union would continue to engage in discussions with the airline and that no conclusion had been reached.

"It is our job to make sure that pilots have some sort of stability in life," he said, adding that Cathay had not set a deadline on the talks.