Airline News
Cathay cabin crew dispute intensifies
May 25th 2015
The labour dispute at Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong continues. After Cathay in mid-May reached an agreement with its cockpit crew for pay increases of 4.5% this year, and 3.5% next year, Cathay’s cabin crew last week went next in line to protest their cause. Read More »
More than 600 flight attendants staged a sit-in at Hong Kong International Airport to voice their disagreement with recent allowance cuts, pay discrepancies for junior staff renewing their contracts, and loss of legal support for crew involved in court cases, such as civil action stemming from passenger assault. Cathay chief, Ivan Chu, said crew contracts were renewed after an initial three-year service with market-competitive rates, despite union claims alleging an 11% difference in packages renewed after April 2. On changes to meal allowances for cabin crew, Chu said: "We regularly do reviews on the food and beverage costs of different ports which Cathay flies to and if those menu prices come up or down we will adjust accordingly.”
Dissatisfied with Chu’s response, union chairwoman, Dora Lai Yuk-sim, said "the entry rate for 1995 was HK$9,413 ($1,214), and right now after 20 years, it’s down to HK$8,350. The union leader added she was “extremely disappointed with [Cathay’s] management” for ignoring the crew complaints, and as such, the union might stage another sit-in during the August peak holiday season.
Meanwhile, the Airport Authority Hong Kong urged both sides to resolve the conflict to avoid any flight disruptions, although it said contingency plans were in place should the situation escalate further and disrupt operations.
