Most of British Airways’ axed cabin crew in Hong Kong accept improved redundancy packages, union says
Majority of permanent staff signed and returned separation agreement by deadline, BA Hong Kong International Cabin Crew Association says
Most of British Airways’ Hong Kong cabin crew have accepted an improved redundancy package as a bitter dispute over the sudden sacking of all flight attendants based in the city nears resolution.
A majority of permanent staff signed and returned a separation agreement – detailing redundancy terms and severance payments – on Thursday, the deadline to do so, according to the BA Hong Kong International Cabin Crew Association.
If employees did not agree to the terms by the airline’s deadline, they would only receive a basic compensation package as stipulated by Hong Kong law.
The cabin crew are now out of a job after the London-based carrier said on September 26 it would no longer employ flight attendants in Hong Kong because it was unaffordable to do so.
The carrier has been flying to Hong Kong for 82 years and operates two daily flights from Hong Kong to London Heathrow. The lay-offs affected 57 full-time staff and 24 on part-time or temporary contracts.