Protest at jetfoil sackings

More than 40 Far East Jetfoil cabin attendants who claim they were sacked for involvement in union activities staged a sit-in at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal yesterday.

The demonstration followed the decision by the company on Tuesday to scrap its night service section, comprising 44 cabin attendants.

The staff said they were dismissed because they were members of the Hong Kong & Macau Marine Passengers Transportation Service Employees Union. It was only formed a month ago after a dispute in October.

General secretary Mak Tak-ching said: 'Perhaps the company decided it was time to destroy the union before it became a sizeable force, and the best way to go about the task would be to rip out the core which is made up of the night shift cabin crew.' In their place, workers willing to work longer hours and for less pay had been recruited, Mr Mak said.

The company denied the union's allegations, claiming they were 'patently unfounded'.

It said the decision to eliminate the section was purely financial and in line with the company's planned operational integration with CTS-Parkview.