Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong flight attendants threaten collective action over new contracts that will slash pay

Cathay Pacific’s flight attendants union has threatened to mobilise its members for collective action if the airline refuses to postpone next week’s deadline for accepting a new contract that will slash wages by up to 40%. The threat came as the union representing the airline’s pilots, who are also facing a substantial pay cut, requested a Tuesday meeting with the labour commissioner to discuss the preservation of their “statutory rights”. Both groups have been told they face termination if they do not accept the new contracts. Representing most of the airline’s 8,000 flight attendants, the Cathay Pacific Flight Attendants Union held an emergency general meeting on Monday. Some 360 members took part, while another 140 were forced to wait outside due to the size of the venue at a Tung Chung hotel. After the four-hour meeting, the union said its members had pledged their full support for any potential collective action. “Our members have floated different suggestions for actions. There are still a lot of things we need to consider. At the moment, I cannot explain in detail,” said union vice chairwoman Amber Suen. “But as to when we will take the actions … the deadline is coming, so we will act fast.”<br/>