Cathay Flight Attendants Fearful Of More Job Cuts

Cathay Pacific's Flight Attendants Union has expressed concern about further layoffs and accused the airline of failing to take into considerations cost-cutting measures proposed by the union.

"We're completely disappointed with this decision," the union's vice-chairwoman Amber Suen said.

"We put forward a number of measures, not only us, but also other unions in the Cathay Pacific group, but then none of the suggestions were implemented."

The union said 2,000 Cathay cabin crew are among more than 5,000 Hong Kong-based employees sacked on Wednesday as part of the struggling carrier's job-cutting plan.

The union also revealed that as part of the redundancy plan, those who were sacked will receive an extra month's salary and be compensated for unpaid leave they were forced to take earlier. It also said Cathay would not use their MPF money for severance pay.

Zuki Wong, the union's chairwoman, said she did not see the package as "overly generous", but she did point out that Cathay agreed with them not to use employees' retirement funds to offset severance pay.

In announcing the job cuts, Cathay said it will offer severance packages that go "well beyond" statutory requirements.