Pilots, Cabin Crew Get Together To Take On Cathay

Cathay Pacific's flight attendant and pilot unions on Wednesday announced that they will join forces in their fight for better pay and benefits, as they seek to increase their bargaining power after the airline refused to back down on new lower-paid contracts.

The unions said they were yet to come up with any concrete action, but would meet regularly to discuss various work issues.

"In terms of plans, we are just beginning. We do hope to put together a comprehensive plan of working together cooperatively, so that Cathay Pacific will be able to recognise the fact that working together is going to be beneficial to all of us," said Chris Beebe, the general secretary of the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA).

But Beebe added that all legal options are still being considered in relation to the new contracts.

Cathay’s Flight Attendants Union chairwoman Zuki Wong said the priority will be supporting members who aren’t going to sign the new contracts, and no industrial action is being planned.

She wouldn’t say whether their efforts so far have been a failure, saying Cathay officials had at least agreed to a tripartite meeting.

"We have united all our members and joining hands with the HKAOA is a historical moment," Wong said, surrounded by flight attendants who had turned out to support the union.

Wong added that all the union’s executive committee members would sign the contract to maintain operations and would continue to demand the airline review the terms of the contracts annually.