Protest sparks emergency talks

Dragonair executives held emergency talks with union officials after an estimated 100 cabin crew called in sick on Friday.

They promised to hold a series of meetings starting on Tuesday to address staff concerns.

Management later sent a memo to all flight attendants appealing for them to put an end to the action, which it warned could disrupt the airline's operations.

The emergency talks were held with the Flight Attendants Association, which represents half the 1,000 cabin crew and did not sanction the sick-leave protest.

Director of customer services Ronnie Choi sent out a memo on Friday night telling flight attendants: 'Management believes that this matter should best be dealt with through constructive and amiable discussions rather than actions that would result in disruptions to the airline's operation.'

He said Dragonair management had 'received from the FAA a list of major concerns of the crew', adding: 'While resolving these concerns will take some time to arrange, management is more than willing to sit down with the FAA to start working out ways and means in a most pragmatic way.

'Management once again requests all crew to respect their obligations of duty ... Management is in tune with all cabin crew and is willing to work as a team.'

A union official said it was working with management to address staff concerns.