Those of you who were in CX at the time the 49ers had their contracts terminated will remember that there were many issues on which to be outraged. The union leadership had called for a sick-out, which meant that crews would call in sick, sometimes only hours before a flight. The reason given for going sick was generally stress. Not only did this disadvantage the company, but it also inconvenienced the majority of crew members who refused to take part in the union action.
We then had AOA members ringing up non-compliant crew making veiled threats about their future health. That was outrageous. We also had Captains refusing to speak to crew members who were not in the union. The lead would be followed by others in the crew such that, in a four man crew, one of the crew members would be ostracised. In the context of CRM, such behaviour is unprofessional and certainly outrageous.
It is in the context of this poisonous atmosphere that the company actions should be viewed. When your own crews are being intimidated and your passengers are being disadvantaged you have to act.
The management and CC provided 200 names. Some were selected because of the frequency with which they had phoned in sick. Others because they were deemed to have been involved in the intimidation of other crew members. One was an unstable bully, about whom complaints had been made by other crew members and ground staff in several ports. The fate of that particular Captain was sealed when he grabbed a member of ground staff by the lapels. Some cases, including the latter were not union related, but all got swept up as 49ers.
You ask why D and G procedures were not followed. Stress is a valid reason for calling in sick. Indeed, if you have suffered a family crisis, the company are demonstrably generous in giving time off to recover. However, in these instances the terms of the contract were being abused in spirit if not in law. The stress was bogus and by using it as a means of attacking the company, the perpetrators were undermining the position of crew members who may genuinely have been stressed for reasons unrelated to union activity. D and G under those circumstances would have been a charade.
Shortly before the sick-out was called, the union membership elected as their President a Captain who was known for his militant views. It was evident from the beginning that he wanted to take on the company in a trial of strength. Sadly, he persuaded a number of union members to follow him. What he failed to do is get the whole of the membership on side, with the result that the pilot force was polarised; pilot against pilot. The longer term result has been the almost fatal weakening of the union. It now represents less than 50% of the pilot body. The Captain who led the charge against the company, as union President, is still plying his trade with us. He is earning, with benefits, around HK$2,500,000 (US$275000) per annum. When he retires his Provident Fund will be worth several million dollars. If he had an ounce of integrity, he would have resigned in solidarity with the 49ers. If I were a 49er, I would be outraged.