Some quick questions about Cathay

[pablo shaglo]

Message to cpdude and TWApilot

cpdude

While I am impressed by your attempt to put CX and the terrible degredation in our pay and benefits in perspective vis a vis the rest of the industry, you have omitted a few important historical and empirical points that are of extreme importance to any prospective new hire, be they freighter or PAX Pilots.

Firstly:
In July 2001 Senior Management fired 52 Pilots (originally it was believed that 49 had been fired, hence the term 49ers) comprising the majority of the HKAOA General Committee, a senior -400 Captain 3 months away from retirement and the rest made up of Check and Training Captains, Senior Captains, Captains, First and Second officers in an anti-union tactic as a direct result of the HKAOA membership instituting a Maximum Safety Campaign (work to rule). This cowardly act they chose rather than negotiate with the legal representatives of the CX Pilot workforce. This action has no precedent in modern airline labour relations and is regarded the world over as the most despicable airline management act in living memory.
Oh yes, I forgot, also included in the 52 were the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Sunny Side club, a Hong kong charity that benefits critically ill children. Work that these 2 Pilots in question did on their own time often devoting days at a time.
Official Senior Management reasons given for this action included the phrase "for no particular reason". Many of the 52 had no idea that they were involved until they called the scheduling department inquiring about thier rosters. One showed up in uniform to fly his next trip and could not get through security as his electronic pass had been invalidated. A Junior Manager was hastily dispatched to the Crew entrance of the Head Office and a very embarrasssing conversation ensued.
Most of the 52 had no reason to believe that they were earmarked for termination. Most had little contact with thier Managers, one had not been to his fleet office in 6 months. All did thier jobs safely and professionally while employed at Cathay. Tragically, one of the younger of the 52 has since died.
Things did not end there. After the 52 received 3 months salary as part of the contractual termination package, Senior and Middle Managers contacted the Hong Kong Tax Department and underhandedly lied to senior Tax Dept. officials, informing them that the 52 represented a flight risk. The HK Tax Dept. then, inexplicably, over taxed these 52 and sent out immediate demands for over-assessed taxes owed based on this advice. Many could not pay the excessive amounts and had to borrow money from the HKAOA so that they could stay out of default - an offence in Hong Kong. All who lived in CX directly provided accommodation were given no notice for themselves and thier famillies to vacate immediately. Some 2 years 5 months on from this disgusting act, CX is being forced to atone for its behavior in legal forums around the world.

Secondly:
As an employee working for a Hong Kong based company any new hire can expect no labour protection from the Hong Kong government what-so-ever. An employee contract is not worth the paper it is wriiten on as anyone can be fired for no reason, with 3 months pay in lieu of notice. What this means, practically, is that you and your family can be nicely settled in you home enjoying the fruits of your labours only to be informed the next day that you are terminated for no particular reason and that you must leave your home immediately if you reside in company provided accommodation. This scenario is true for any expatriate who works in Hong Kong in any position. Trade Unions in Hong Kong are legally powerless to do anything to counteract a vindictive, unfair employer.

Case in point:
I was watching the news in Hong Kong recently and the Chairman of a prominent Hong Kong bank was giving his plan for downsizing his staff out of seniority order. These included natural wastage and termination of contractors etc. I then turned the channel and watched the same interview on Chinese language TV. The same Chairman, in person, was saying that the downsizing would occur as a result "of the firing of the elderly, disabled and useless". I never heard anything else on this subject from either the press or the Government.

So you can see, TWApilot, that while the superficial attraction of a seemingly stable career at a major worldwide airline such as Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong (or at any one of its crew bases) is something that would appeal greatly, particularly to one who is furloughed, you would be well advised to look elsewhere at the moment. I do sympathise with you and the treatment you received at the hands of American Airlines, a few friends of mine are in the same situatuion. If you come to Cathay Pacific Airways, that same atmosphere prevails here. To my mind it is no coincidence that One World founding partners are directly involved in such cowardly, inhuman acts. Obviously, the co-mingling of passengers and facilities are not the only things that One World partners materially share.