Angry Cathay pilots vote to raise funds as buffer for potential management action

Pilots at Cathay Pacific Airways voted in favour of raising funds as a buffer against any actions the Hong Kong airline may take against them, such as unilateral benefit changes or job losses, their union said Friday. The move underscores persistent pilot discontent at Cathay, where anger and distrust has deepened, 5 pilots said on condition of anonymity. Eager to trim costs, the loss-making airline had also sought to cut payment of housing allowances but this month extended the stipend ahead of a busy holiday travel period and amid poaching attempts by its rivals. More than 82% of union members voted in favour of resolutions including raising funds to prepare for any industrial escalation. The union said, however, that there were no plans to take any action unless the airline moved to cut benefits first. <br/>