No Housing for Cadets.
I agree with the view that the Cadets should not get housing allowance for the following reasons.
1. They signed their contracts, and so they should have the integrity to stick with them, rather than crying "racist", and asking for a massive increase in their remuneration.
2. The vast majority of them were born, and have family, in Hong Kong. So they already have a place to live. This does not apply to expats.
3. They have had the easiest run in the history of aviation. Full training and board paid for, then straight into a heavy jet. This is the benefit they get.
If they get housing, then the rest of us should be able to bill Cathay for all our training costs.
4. If the AOA pushes this, and Cathay agrees, it sets the terrible precedent that one party can force a massive change in the contracts of one section of the pilot body.
I guarantee that this precedent will be used against us in the future.
5. If the Cadets want to get expat housing, then they are more than welcome to leave their family and friends in Hong Kong, and become expats themselves.
Emirates, Korean, China Airlines etc, are always hiring.
6. The cadets say that its equal pay for equal work. But all industries in the world pay people according to their experience. As does cathay, in our seniority salary scales. The cadets have far inferior experience to even the most low qualified direct entry S/O or F/O, and so their package reflects this.
I am not rejecting the idea of the AOA fighting to improve our conditions, but I think that defending our existing conditions should be a priority.
Last edited by bartholomewrose; 15th August 2010 at 20:41.