Cathay crew vow work-to-rule campaign

Cathay Pacific cabin crew will launch a "work-to-rule" industrial action from tomorrow after canceling an assembly for today despite the Hong Kong flag carrier's insistence that it has addressed demands on rosters.

The Cathay Pacific Flight Attendants' Union met with police yesterday to discuss the approval of a rally for today at the open space and parking lot near the airline's headquarters at Cathay Pacific City.

But the union withdrew the application as Cathay objected to the protest being held on company premises, and police could not approve the assembly.

On Monday, the union announced on Facebook it would initiate the work-to-rule campaign from tomorrow with a set of "golden rules" sent to members, asking them to "follow strictly company policies, rules and standards from manuals."

As part of the industrial action, members have been asked not to accept any request to operate on rest days and to fly only when they are 100 percent fit.

It said the airline had not responded to its demands and that management rejected a request for a meeting yesterday.

In an open letter, the union apologized for affecting passengers' travel plans and stressed having no choice but to implement the work-to-rule action. It called on people to support the "reasonable action."

The union said cabin crew had reached the edge after large-scale redundancies as well as cuts in salary, outport allowance and manpower and needing to take on more workload with less rest time and shorter layover periods.

"[Cathay] claimed all the flight operations remain normal. This is not the truth," the union said.

"Manpower on each flight has been cut since January last year, resulting in prolonged meal service and failure in entertaining passengers' requests in time, and eventually numerous complaints from dissatisfied customers. Cabin crew members are left helpless and frustrated."

It added that more than 30 flights operated without a full crew on January 1 this year, with flights between Hong Kong and Japan affected the most.

It had only four flight attendants to serve 288 passengers in the premium economy and economy class on each flight - from the usual seven crew members.

The union said last month that it was considering a protest to seek better roster arrangements, better welfare and longer layovers for its members.

In a reply to The Standard, Cathay said it has communicated directly with cabin crew and the company will continue to listen to and act upon their feedback.

"Many of the rostering issues raised previously have already been resolved for the January roster. These improvements will continue in the February roster and beyond," the airline said.

Cathay chief executive Ronald Lam Siu-por sent a video message to the aircrew last night in which he said he has three "overriding obligations" - including to contribute to the rebuilding of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub and to ensure Cathay remains the customers' preferred choice.

He said he has to ensure the airline's business is competitive and sustainable financially as many "leaner, fitter" airlines "are eager to take customers away" from Cathay.

"Let's come together as one team ... to create a bright future for Cathay in which all our people can share in the benefits and rewards of that success."

Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of travel agency EGL Tours, believed the industrial action would not affect Lunar New Year travel.

He said the union will lose public support if flights are canceled because of their actions and urged understanding from flight attendants.

Cathay, meanwhile, announced it is canceling 50 flights between Hong Kong and Tokyo Narita International Airport, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka from February 3 to 16, after Hong Kong Express canceled at least 51 flights, citing restrictions by the Japanese government.

The Travel Industry Council's Fanny Yeung Shuk-fan believes more than 10,000 travelers will be affected by the flight cancellation.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com