Exclusive | Cathay Pacific pilots dial down talk of strike if pay dispute remains unresolved
Union says members will vote on next steps from December 13 to 27 to protect pilots’ interests, but the ‘last thing’ it wants is to take industrial action
Cathay Pacific Airways pilots on Thursday dialled down earlier talk of a strike during the year-end holidays, saying they had no plans to walk out, but their union did say it was preparing for a possible “escalation” if the company presses ahead with pay cuts.
The union said that if Hong Kong’s flag carrier makes unilateral cuts without an agreement, then it would consider some form of action.
Negotiations to reduce pilot costs at the loss-making carrier, which is looking to trim HK$4 billion from its books by 2019, had been going on for more than four months but stalled last Thursday as managers and pilots reached an impasse over cuts to pay, housing benefits and pensions.
Although sources had indicated a strike was one of the options on the table, as confirmed by union sources, the union itself later insisted such talk was premature, “incorrect” and “false”.
It put such talk down to confusion over an upcoming ballot on how pilots should prepare in the event of a “no-deal” situation.
We are determined to find solutions and reach a deal with Cathay Pacific. Industrial action is the last thing we want
The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers’ Association (HKAOA), which represents and negotiates for 80 per cent of the airline’s 3,000 pilots, said it had proposed its own HK$1.4 billion cost savings, which it expected to be rejected. Cathay Pacific is seeking just HK$1 billion in cuts from pilot costs.