Mr Cathay Pathetic,
A quick question for you?
Does paying a pilot more money make him a better pilot?
You state,
"Management are currently conducting interviews in Malaysia for crew. They are reported to be testing the suitability of pilots from countries that would allow them to pay much lower salaries. Pilots argue that Cathay passengers expect a high level of safety equivalent to that found in the US, Britain and Australia. This is why Cathay pilots receive better pay than their mainland China counterparts and Cathay has the safety record to prove it."
Cathay passengers do expect a high level of safety. (I am one of them!) However when I fly Malaysia, Singapore and even Garuda I also expect a high level of safety. Just because I expect it, doesn't mean I am going to get it.
Certainly CX complicate matters by always portraying the silver haired expat as the Captain in there advertising campaigns. He is always about 3 foot taller than is Asian counterpart (give me soem poetic licence.) At least the adverts stops short of the female cabin crew fainting at his feet although they do seem to be looking at him as an 'enlightened source.'
I find your statement that recruiting Pilots from Malaysia as politically incorrect as the airlines advertising. What I would say is that going on strike to make a point will drive the airline harder to find cheaper non striking personnel. The airline is run as a business and not as a club for the staff.
Your point regarding rostering is noted. Good luck with that. However you yourself have stated that the airline is aware that it is a problem and so I do not see how striking will help. If they were ignoring it or not acknowleding it, then I could see it as justified.