I Was Sacked Over Online Post: Aircrew Union Head

The longtime head of the Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Flight Attendants’ Association, Rebecca Sy, says she was sacked by Cathay Dragon after confirming the authenticity of several social media messages she had posted, though management refused to specify the reason why she was fired.

Sy, who had worked with the airline for 17 years, told a press conference she was suddenly suspended from duty on Tuesday without warning just as she was about to board a flight to the mainland.

She said during a meeting with management the next day, she was shown three screenshots of her Facebook posts whose privacy settings were set to ‘friends only’. She was then asked to confirm that they were from her account. Sy said yes, and was then sacked.

Sy said she believes one of her colleagues may have given the screenshots to company management.

At the same press conference, Carol Ng, chairwoman of Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, said at least 14 people in the aviation industry have quit their jobs or have been dismissed because their involvement in the recent anti-extradition protests.

She said a wave of white terror is now gripping the aviation industry.

China’s aviation regulator has been exerting pressure on Cathay Pacific, banning all aircrew who have been involved in or express support for the recent protests from operating any flights into mainland airspace. The airline has warned staff that their social media accounts would be scrutinised.

There have been a flurry of high-profile departures at the airline recently, including CEO Rupert Hogg and his deputy Paul Loo.

Cathay Pacific’s Director of Corporate Affairs James Tong issued a statement saying “Cathay Pacific wishes to emphasise it fully supports the upholding of the Basic Law and all the rights and freedoms afforded by it.”

“We are a leading international airline with global operations and therefore we are required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we operate.

Tong added that recent weeks have been “most challenging” for Cathay staff, and thanked them for serving their customers in a professional manner.

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