Cathay Pacific lashes out at staff
Flight attendants of the Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific launched an indefinite strike in mid-January following a long-running dispute over staff cuts and restructuring measures.
The attendants' 3500-strong union says it has been negotiating with the company for six months over attempts to load staff with extra duties and more overtime.
The union says Cathay Pacific is pursuing drastic cost cuts even though it is already the world's third most profitable airline. The company dismissed three employees in December in response to a union ban on extra duties. After fruitless negotiations for reinstatement, the other employees began strike action on January 13.
The strike achieved near-complete support and seriously disrupted Cathay Pacific services in the peak Chinese New Year travel season. As well as reinstatement of the three dismissed attendants, the union wants an increase in staff ratios and a review of pay.
The company initially tried to intimidate the staff, but began to give ground in negotiations after the first week of the strike. However, on the eve of a settlement, management announced that it would not rule out disciplinary action or dismissal of the strike organisers, and the employment status of strikers would be reviewed on the grounds that they had failed to report for duty.
This forced the union to extend the strike.
Since Chinese New Year, in abnormally cold weather, the strikers have maintained pickets as well as vigils at Hong Kong airport and in front of the governor's house. The strike has the support of more than 30 other unions, as well as women's and community groups in Hong Kong.