Cathay Pacific Airways said Wednesday it would no longer allow its unionised pilots to refuse training roles despite a near 4 year union ban in a move that a pilot said could raise workplace tensions. Relations between Cathay and its 3,000-plus pilots have become strained as the airline seeks to cut costs as part of a 3-year transformation plan. The union ban on pilot training has made it more difficult for the airline to promote pilots quickly when it has been expanding capacity and also when a global pilot shortage prompted some expat pilots to take other jobs. "The selection and appointment of training captains will be solely at the company's discretion," the Cathay spokesman said of the new policy Wednesday. "This means, suitable pilots no longer have the right to refuse a training appointment." <br/>