CATHAY Pacific management has offered to increase their pay offer to one of their two unions to resolve a dispute - but only if the union trades something in return.
Efforts to reach an agreement over pay have taken four months without a solution for both the Flight Attendants' Union (FAU) and the Aircrew Officers' Association (AOA).
Since January 1, the FAU has been drawing a wage which includes the management's initial pay offer of five per cent, plus a $150 monthly lump sum and a pay-related increment, despite not having accepted the deal.
Any deal negotiated higher than the original offer would be backdated.
But after four months of sporadic negotiations, the chances of a better pay offer appeared to be petering out.
Now Cathay has said it would be prepared to raise its offer, but only if the flight attendants increase productivity - effectively working more hours or giving up guaranteed rest days. Spokesman Phil Burfurd said the company would want improved productivity as part of any higher offer.
