A pay dispute between Cathay Pacific flight attendants and management is headed for a showdown today with talks taking place under the threat of a possible work-to-rule action.
At a special meeting yesterday, cabin crew workers voted to empower the Flight Attendants' Union to order a work-to-rule at any time if the airline refuses to reopen salary negotiation at today's meeting.
The Travel Industry Council estimated the industrial action, which could extend into next month's peak Lunar New Year travel season, would be a minor, but widespread, inconvenience to passengers.
Dora Lai Yuk-sin, the union's chairwoman, said workers participating in a work-to-rule action would follow all the procedures demanded under company policies - such as security checks and preparations needed for arriving and departing flights - but do nothing beyond what was required.
'In that case, planes will be very likely delayed, since the cabin crew now work flat-out to shorten the time for such works,' Lai said.
All 6,000 members would participate in the action, with a date yet to be decided, pending the outcome of today's meeting.