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SCMP Reporter

Airport workers are to ask employers for a pay rise as high as nine per cent this year.

The demand by the Airport and Air Freight Employees Association is based on a survey conducted three weeks ago on 1,400 airport workers of different categories from five major companies including Hong Kong Airport Services and Jardine Air Terminal Services. The workers ranged from baggage handlers to drivers and aircraft maintenance staff.

Union chairman Lau Wei-man said more than half the respondents indicated they wished the pay rise to be between seven per cent and nine per cent.

Another 30 per cent said it should be between five per cent and seven per cent.

'This shows clearly the general discontent among airport workers over many years of pay and benefit cuts,' Mr Lau said.

'Now that the economy is recovering and as tourism and cargo volume pick up, companies should adjust pay and share the fruits with employees.'

He said about 20,000 airport workers had suffered pay cuts in various degrees over the past three years in the regional financial crisis, with travel and overtime allowances reduced.

'These cuts amount to an average of 20 per cent of total income, leaving workers just a few pennies to survive,' Mr Lau said.

But despite the general wish for higher pay this year, more than 40 per cent of respondents said they would have no alternative job to go to if their employers ignored their appeal.

'But failure to take note of staff discontent will probably cause operational problems and air safety may be compromised,' Mr Lau said, adding that strikes were only a matter of time if bosses failed to recognise the need to share profits with staff.

Last week, about 280 employees of airport baggage handling company Swire Engineering Services were told by new contractor, US-based Worldwide Flight Services, that they might have to accept a 27 per cent pay cut if they transferred to the new firm.



Airport staff seek pay rise