Cathay Union Seeks More Time Over New Contracts

The Cathay Pacific Flight Attendants’ Union on Wednesday called on the airline to push back its deadlines for staff to sign new contracts, while the government said it would arrange a meeting between the two sides as soon as possible to try to resolve the dispute.

Hong Kong's flagship carrier has offered employees who sign the new contracts before midnight on Wednesday a financial incentive of several thousand dollars, which Cathay describes as a "transition allowance". Those who choose not to do so would have until next Wednesday to sign the contracts, or they would be terminated.

All staff are asked to sign new contracts, which will see their pay and benefits cut substantially, as part of the airline's restructuring plan under which 5,300 employees in Hong Kong were laid off and the Cathay Dragon brand was axed entirely.

The union argued that management has not given employees enough time to consider their options, and asked for the deadlines to be postponed.

Cathay has refused to budge and dismissed calls for negotiations, saying enough staff have signed the new contracts to allow its flights to operate until next year.

The union believes about 1,000 employees have signed the new contracts, but said some of them already regret it.

Chanting slogans such as "the government saves CX, but let workers suffer", the union said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that the government has the responsibility to step in after it offered a multi-billion-dollar bailout package to Cathay earlier this year.

It said if the administration fails to step in, other companies which have benefitted from the government's job retention scheme or other subsidies would follow in Cathay's footsteps and lay off staff.

The union’s vice-chairwoman, Amber Suen, said the government should not use the deadline as an excuse for inaction, saying changes can still be made after midnight.

"We understand the deadline is approaching... but then even after this deadline, we still have to fight for what we deserve, because we still have seven days left," she said.

"We do urge the government to extend the deadline so that everybody can have a clear picture to understand thoroughly all the terms and conditions before they make the decisions."

The union added that it has sought different legal opinions and is deciding its next course of action.