Flyingkiwi, it is confirmed in the SCMP. I will attempt to paste it below!
Cathay Pacific pilots will suspend their industrial action campaign from noon tomorrow and have formally dropped a demand that sacked pilots be reinstated as part of any deal.
The measures fulfil every requirement Cathay listed in an October 12 letter as "steps in the right direction" that would show the sincerity needed for negotiations.
The ceasefire was set out in a letter hand-delivered by Aircrew Officers' Association president Nigel Demery to Cathay director of flight operations Ken Barley on Thursday.
Cathay welcomed the union announcement and has proposed a meeting with it early next week.
The pilots' union has warned it will review the decision to suspend industrial action - which started in July - if Cathay did not respond clearly and positively to its decision.
Union members were informed yesterday in a newsletter obtained by the Post. In it, Mr Demery said the union had "updated" its view on the best course of action after the September 11 terror attacks.
"After two days' extensive discussion in your General Committee, we have decided that we will, as a membership, demonstrate the sincerity and good faith management is seeking. Someone has to be prepared to take the first step towards reconciliation," he said.
The move came after Cathay dismissed the union's previous offer of an unconditional return to negotiations as insincere, given the insistence on the reinstatement of the sacked pilots.
In the letter to Mr Barley, Mr Demery said there were no pre-conditions for negotiations.
Union general secretary John Findlay said the initiative showed great strength of character: "I don't think there's any sign of admitting defeat here."
Cathay's director of corporate development, Tony Tyler, warned the union would need to have realistic expectations in the current environment.
Well bug**r me it worked!
But as you so rightly ask, does that mean an end to the recruitment ban?
