No payrise since 1998: Hong Kong-based flight attendants threaten to take British Airways to court over wages and recognition
Union chairwoman Carol Ng says it is discriminatory that most of the 100 flight attendants in the city have not received a pay rise in 18 years
The union representing Hong Kong-based British Airways cabin crew is threatening to take the airline to court in the UK if talks break down this month over union recognition and pay rises, as the group revealed that most crew members had not seen a raise since 1998.
Carol Ng Man-yee, general secretary of the BA Hong Kong International Cabin Crew Association, said the union was not bluffing about suing the airline for discrimination.
“We have already sought legal advice and there is a huge chance we will win. We are not afraid,” she said.
Ng said the last time the airline offered a raise to the 100-strong Hong Kong-based flight attendants was in 1998.
At present, half of the 100 crew members are permanent staff who make more than HK$30,000 a month after taking into account flying allowances. The other half are contract staff who are paid just HK$5,840 a month as a basic salary. They make about HK$20,000 after flying allowances are added.
Ng said the union had confronted the airline on the matter many times over the years. Last year, it demanded a raise of 7 per cent.