FAU agreement.
Dear Members,
FAU is pleased to announce the result of our YEN 2015. Hopefully this would be the final piece of the Deputize ExCo.
As usual, it has never been easy for any negotiation. To us, we would consider the overall achievements made in this Year End Negotiation is an acceptable package. In particular the review made on the “Disciplinary and Grievance” policy; medical evacuation protection. There are also some minor improvements made on general welfare and benefits for Cabin Crew such as taxi arrangement for “long haul overnight” flights and review on exceptional allowance. In here, we wish to share the achievements with you in brief:
Pay Rise for 2016
Inclusive of the point jump and one off gratuity, MPC will receive a total equivalent to 4%.
For HPC, 4% increment of their hourly rate.
An extra point (point 7) of the Rank Allowance for MPC SP.
Two extra points (point 7 and 8) of the Rank Allowance for MPC FP.
*Please refer to attachment for the details of the 2016 pay rise.
13th month Discretionary Bonus and Profit Share
It is confirmed that the 13th month discretionary bonus will be paid and profit sharing will be paid according to the “Profit Sharing Scheme”.
Disciplinary and Grievance Policy
A fairer mechanism is now in place for Cabin Crew for the appeal hearing at all stages. A formalized appeal procedure is now in place for termination as well. We want all our Members to take note of it. From now on, if you encounter any problems and which you believes the disciplinary actions taken against you is unfair and not justify, you can always trigger the appeal procedures and exercise your right on the "Right of Audience". Any Crew Member or FAU ExCo may accompany you to attend the appeal hearing. That is to ensure the investigation of your case is conducted in a fair and justice way. Most importantly, nobody shall be terminated without valid reason and supporting evidence.
Taxi for all “Long Haul Overnight” Flights
As mentioned in our proposal, our initial approach to address the fatigue concerns on the short layover for long haul flights is to demand ISD to lengthen the layover. Throughout the YEN, FAU ExCo have put our best effort and maintain a firm stance on this. However, we were being heavily slapped by ISD on the fact that No fatigue reports have been submitted by the operating crew. This has significantly weakened our findings made in our proposal.
Nonetheless, FAU ExCo view the importance to address the fatigue issue that Cabin Crew are facing. With the understanding that the current short layover long haul will only exist when they are not a daily operation, FAU counter proposed taxi reimbursement to minimize the fatigue level of the operating crew.
To this, ISD has now agreed to offer two-way taxi fare reimbursement for crew operating all long haul flights with scheduled layover 30 hours or less.
The ExCo has urged ISD to implement this from 01 January 2016, however, ISD claimed that they need more time to make the arrangement, and the targeted implementation date will be anytime in January 2016.
Exceptional Allowance
On top of our current policy, enhancement have been made to include delays which involves repeated “block on” and “block off”, which will cause a stretch of delays. Such an amendment will be able to reflect the actual time of delay for the flight when making our claim for the Exceptional Allowance.
Medical Coverage whilst layover in outport
Medical Evacuation has now been formalized and covered. ISD has promised to continue their support to Crew Members who are engaged in acute injury and accident whilst in outport.
Special Meal requisition for Cabin Crew
A system will be in place in June 2016 for all Hong Kong Based operating Cabin Crew to request their preferred meal to meet your dietary and religious needs.
Tertiary Leave for Hourly Paid Crew (HPC)
ISD agreed to offer an extra option for individual to break down their leave entitlement into 3 slots (LP / LS / LT). For further information, please refer to the attachment.
ISD is now working on the simulation to ensure the enhancement will not cause unnecessary impact on productivity. It is expected that this will be available for leave bidding in 2016.
Briefcase for Male Cabin Crew
To assist Male Cabin Crew to safe keep our valuables and the iPad issued by ISD, FAU has suggested ISD to issue a soft document bag for all the Male Cabin Crew. ISD has now confirmed to begin their sourcing for this item.
Extension of Retirement Age and Induction Talk
FAU is extremely disappointed with the stance of CX in regards of these two issues.
ISD has been very reluctant in discussing the Extension of Retirement Age; even though FAU has tried in suggesting to use it as a recognition programme for those crew who are retiring, to continue their contribution to the Company. ISD still refused to look into this issue and excused that there is no provision of Age Discrimination Ordinance in Hong Kong regarding retirement. FAU ExCo would not drop this issue aside and would keep looking into ways to pursue on this issue.
It is also sad to see our Management ignore the need to properly recognise and acknowledge the status of FAU and to allow the Union to establish a bridge between Cabin Crew and Management. Our kind gesture to meet up the inductee during their lunch break has also been declined.
In conclusion, the Deputise ExCo have tried our utmost effort in this YEN and hope you will extend your continuous support to your Union.
FAU will soon be calling for the ExCo Election for 2015~2017. We sincerely hope to see a New Team being elected. For Members who are passionate and have brilliant ideas to improve the way FAU work and achieve, we strongly urge you to come forward and lead a better future for FAU