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Pilots Fear Layoffs at Cathay Pacific

 In the face of “long-term consequences” and an ultimatum, pilots for Cathay Pacific fear mass layoffs.

Since December 2014, pilots at Cathay Pacific have been functioning under a work-to-rule action — which basically means doing the bare minimum requirements for the job — because of a pay dispute and continuing labor issues. The action is a sort of protest to management, where pilots refuse to work on days off and won’t participate in training programs. But as of May 31, the work-to-rule state may cause more problems than the pilots bargained for.

Management at the airline has issued an ultimatum, saying that the work-to-rule must be resolved by the end of next month or there will be changes with long-term consequences. Anna Thompson, the director of flight operations for the airline, sent out the ultimatum in a letter to all pilots.

“There are a number of challenges we need to resolve to make sure we can continue to grow and remain competitive in this tough industry,” Thompson wrote in the letter reported by the South China Morning Post. “Without an agreement by May 31, we will have no option but to make changes which may have long-term consequences.”

The pilots fear there will soon be mass layoffs although the airline has not specified what changes might occur. The pilots’ union fired back at Thompson with a letter of its own sent to union members.

“Whilst we recognize the need to solve these issues promptly, we in no way endorse a May 31 ultimatum,” union chairman Rod Fogarty wrote in his letter. “Let nobody be mistaken, all AOA resources are available to reach agreement, but we are very wary of ultimatum politics. Cathay’s history is littered with failed ultimatum politics. We have not agreed to this imposed deadline and we do not consider this ultimatum helpful.”

[Photo: AP]

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