Cathay flight attendants call for 8 per cent pay rise after airline’s profits soar
Flight attendants say demand is 'realistic' while the airline's pilots are threatening industrial action at Christmas over a salary dispute
Cathay Pacific's flight attendants union is calling for an 8 per cent pay rise next year and an extra month's salary.
Flight attendants were given a 4.5 percent pay rise this year, but have hiked demands for negotiations which are due to start at the end of the month.
The move comes as Cathay is already facing possible industrial action at Christmas from 2,100 of its pilots, after 93 per cent of the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association members voted to press ahead with a work-to-rule over a pay dispute.
First-half net profit at Cathay Pacific rose to HK$347 million from HK$24 million in the same period last year but fell short of the company's expectation. It is expecting results in the second half to be much better because of improved seasonal factors.
A Cathay spokeswoman said the company would take a number of factors into account when it decided on pay increments for next year for flight attendants, including the operating environment in Hong Kong and the competitiveness of its remuneration package.
Apart from pay, the flight attendants union is also demanding the company renew its restriction, which will expire in January, on the number of non-Hong Kong-based cabin crews allowed to work on flights.