Letters | Cathay Pacific job cuts in Hong Kong have ruined public trust in airline

Recent opinion poll shows the public taking a dim view of the airline’s behaviour, with 69 per cent of respondents saying it has treated employees badly
Cathay Pacific now needs to demonstrate inclusion, transparency and fairness towards employees, as faith alone will not repair the damage done

Cathay Pacific

Letters

Published: 6:30am, 13 Nov 2020

Why you can trust SCMP

Amid the numerous reports about Cathay Pacific’s restructuring, suggesting there was any kind of “willingness” among the staff (“Cathay management must keep the faith”, November 8) is simply not the case.

Pilots and flight attendants had no choice: sign and be forced into a grossly inferior and permanent new contract with no path to recovery, contrary to management’s temporary pay cut, or be fired.

I wonder how commentators supportive towards the Cathay Pacific restructuring would feel if they were presented with the same choice: accept a 58 per cent pay cut or be terminated.

I doubt they would be in favour, especially having had no input to their employment changes or even the courtesy of a warning.

01:46

Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific to axe 5,900 staff and immediately drop Dragon brand

Far from being understanding or approving of the restructuring, research commissioned by the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association shows just how much Hongkongers’ trust has plummeted in the airline.

The Ipsos research (based on an October 30-November 1 survey) shows trust in Cathay Pacific has plunged 63 per cent after the restructuring. It goes on to reveal 79 per cent believe making major contract changes with no consultation with employees is unfair; 69 per cent feel Cathay Pacific has treated employees badly; and 66 per cent feel more negative about Cathay Pacific. A vast 97 per cent say job security is important to creating a positive working environment. The airline has created the absolute opposite.

Perhaps most telling? The words the Hong Kong people who were polled, unprompted, used to describe Cathay Pacific after its corporate restructuring: “despicable/unscrupulous”, “poor”, “bad” and “disappointing” were most frequently used.

Cathay Pacific has been seen for exactly what it is: bullying, intimidating and disrespectful of all affected employees. After years of loyal service, thousands of people have seen their careers destroyed and many others faced with an appalling choice of “sign or be fired”.

Cathay Dragon shock: why is truly Hong Kong brand being sacrificed?

It has been reported that Cathay Pacific management must do their part by demonstrating faith in the future. Faith and trust are a two-way street. The people of Hong Kong have shown how they feel about the airline’s recent actions through a massive reduction of trust. That glaring deficiency will not be reversed on faith.

Cathay Pacific now needs to demonstrate inclusion, transparency and fairness to its frontline safety professionals: the pilots and flight attendants who are the heart and soul of the airline.

In the unhappy past, workers were treated as commodities. This is no way for responsible companies like Swire and Cathay Pacific to behave in 2020.

Chris Beebe, general secretary, Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association

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