Cathay Pacific cabin crew threaten strike over unpopular medical policy
The Associated PressPublished: December 4, 2007

HONG KONG: Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. could face major disruptions over its key Christmas period if flight attendants launch a threatened strike to protest a new medical insurance plan.

Cathay cabin crew will hold a demonstration on Monday to protest the new policy, which requires all staff to pay a standard fee for doctor and specialist consultations, T.K. Lee, general secretary of the Flight Attendants Union said Tuesday.

"We will have to see what happens after that as to whether we will take industrial action," Lee said. "Our members are very unhappy with the co-payment scheme."

The previous policy had no co-payments for doctors' visits.

Calling in sick en-masse and refusing to serve passengers on planes were some of the measures members of the union had discussed at a meeting on Monday, he said. The union covers about 4,900 staff at Cathay Pacific.

If the agitation goes ahead, it would be the first time in nearly 15 years that Cathay cabin crew have gone on strike.

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Take-home pay for an entry-level cabin crew member is about HK$15,000 (US$1,920; €1,309) a month.

Lee said the union had sent a letter to Cathay management on Tuesday urging them to hold talks, but had not yet heard back.

Cathay says the new plan offers employees better coverage. The airline said it was prepared to discuss the matter with the union, but had no plans to drop the new plan.

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"We introduced this scheme in November and have had several consultations with staff, including cabin crew and ground staff.

"In response to their input, we have already lowered the amount junior staff pay, so we have listened to their views," she said, requesting anonymity in line with company policy.

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The carrier was working on contingency plans should the cabin crew follow through with their threat to strike, the airline's spokeswoman said.

"We believe that our cabin crew are responsible employees and do not want to cause inconvenience to the people of Hong Kong, especially over the crucial Christmas period," she said.