Cathay fires unvaccinated aircrew
An article from SCMP
Cathay Pacific has fired a “small number” of aircrew for failing to get Covid-19 jabs without a valid medical reason, following through on an ultimatum to review the employment of pilots and flight attendants still unvaccinated by August 31.
Today we decided to part company with a small number of aircrew who had decided not to receive either of the two available Covid-19 vaccines and had not provided proof of medical exemption,” Hong Kong’s largest airline said in a statement on Wednesday.
In a memo last month, it said only fully inoculated staff and contractors could enter its offices and buildings from December 1, while those working at the airport would have to get both jabs by October 1. It did not say whether staff who refused to get vaccinated would be fired.
Early this month, Cathay started disciplinary proceedings against dozens of flight attendants and pilots who had refused to get a jab, the Post reported.
Between 60 and 80 aircrew were in the firing line, insiders said, as the airline had begun questioning their lack of inoculation records.
As a result, the company will now take steps to terminate your employment,” the letter said.
The airline’s mandatory vaccine decision was partly influenced by moves from the Airport Authority, which said on August 20 that specific high-risk groups of workers would not be able to call upon negative coronavirus tests or medical exemptions from September 1, while also requiring all staff to get at least one vaccine dose.