THE Cathay Pacific cabin crew dispute took a dramatic twist early today when the strikers' most prominent spokesman submitted her resignation from the Flight Attendants' Union (FAU) Executive Committee.
Chairman Mr David Ngan said Miss Rachel Varghese had told the 800 members at a meeting at Caritas House that she was stepping down ''on her own decision''.
Miss Varghese's resignation came as a shock to the strikers, because she had from the outset presented a strong stance and earlier in the day declared that morale among the picketers was still high and that they would not be ''intimidated into going backto work''.
She was not available after the meeting to explain whether her resignation from her high-profile position in the strike had anything to do with the midnight deadline for flight attendants to register for work next month.
Mr Ngan made the surprise announcement at 2 a m after members of the union gathered to discuss the latest moves in the dispute - entering its third week - and hear a report on talks with the management and Labour Department.
The talks broke off shortly after the midnight deadline, which was greeted in Caritas House by songs and chants.
