Cathay Pacific pilots back union plan for industrial ‘escalation’ if talks on conditions fail
Members are poised to act if Hong Kong’s flagship airline imposes new terms without their consent – but Christmas travel will not be affected
Cathay Pacific Airways’ union-backed pilots have overwhelmingly approved proposals to lay the groundwork to ramp up an industrial dispute should cost-saving negotiations fail and are raising funds as an insurance against potentially costly action.
The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA) said 87 per cent of its members who voted approved plans to prepare for future industrial “escalation”.
The vote consisted of three motions which were backed by members. The union, which represents 90 per cent of Cathay pilots, stressed there were no plans for Christmas travel disruption.
Pilots are poised to act if Hong Kong’s flagship airline imposes new contract terms and conditions without the consent of cockpit crew.
Cathay Pacific pilots dial down talk of strike if pay dispute remains unresolved
Cathay’s most senior pilots are still seething after being overlooked for the company’s traditional end-of-year bonus. The omission further aggravated pilots, with 400 cockpit crew signing a letter of dissent rebuking management.
Chris Beebe, the union’s general secretary, said of the vote: “The result of this vote is no surprise. We have seen plummeting lows in goodwill between Cathay Pacific and our membership as we reach the end of 2017.”