leet
23rd Dec 2007, 07:34
Subject: [CPAFAU] Labour Department's intervention put pressure on FAU
Dear Members,
After a marathon meeting without dinner break from 6:30pm on 19 December until 7am the next day, an agreement was reached and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at 9am in front of Chief Labour Officer. The negotiation was conducted in a peculiar fashion. While negotiation was going on at the Labour Department, phone calls were exchanged between Chairman Becky Kwan and Legislative Councilor Lee Cheuk Yan who was bartering for FAU through Commissioner for Labour Department who in turn was speaking with CX’s CEO Tony Tyler. The whole ordeal was putting everyone’s strength to a big challenge. Our "FDP" exceeded legal or human limits because of the stress.
In essence, there are two gains:-
Unlimited free doctor visits for the first 4 months in 2008 and FAU will be included in the Working Group to review the Right Choice for 2009.
General Manager Inflight Services will meet with FAU on 11 January 2008 todiscuss matters concerning ALL cabin crews' working terms and conditions.
At all times Labour Department put pressure on FAU to call off the rally toshow good will for improving industrial relations. FAU was even asked to stop sending SMS in order for talks to proceed. To go ahead with the rally,it meant walking away from the negotiation table empty handed and declaring war with CX! The idea of allowing Members at the rally to vote on management’s offer was not likely, although at 6:00am, your Chairman was ready to call back the negotiation team.
Your Excos are not scared of calling for industrial actions if there is absolutely no other alternative. However, in the eyes of the traveling public, we may not be seen as a responsible union if we take drastic action because of the co-pay, although, within CX, we are all aware that the co-pay is the trigger point - one extra problem adding to several longstanding unresolved issues that built up our discontent.
In any negotiations, it is impossible to reach an outcome that can please all members and we are aware that some Members might have higher expectations. We have tried our best to present proposals that would be achieving NO Co-Pay, and for that CX management accused us of negotiating in bad faith. Most importantly, the improved terms now have been a union negotiated deal – a significant indication of Collective Bargaining.
As your elected representatives, we are mandated to call for industrial actions, but we have to be responsible and cautious for the best interests of all Members.
Looking back, Management has been making concession from its original position in early November. This happened ONLY because of the show of solidarity on 10 December at the rally in Chater Garden in Central. We know many Members were prepared for the rally and ready for action, and so were your Exco. But the game is NOT over yet, there will be lots of opportunities to show our muscles!
On 11 January 2008, GMIS will be meeting with FAU Excos when we will be presenting a long list of important issues to him.
We must reconvene our EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) that was adjourned from 3rd December to continue our unfinished business. You will be given a chance to air and share all your grievances. Most importantly,tell us what you want to bring to GMIS!
This adjourned EGM will be held before meeting with GMIS and most likely to be on 7 January 2008 at YMCA, Waterloo Road. Please watch out for further details confirming this date and venue.
In the mean time, we wish all Members and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
From the FAU Team
Dear Members,
After a marathon meeting without dinner break from 6:30pm on 19 December until 7am the next day, an agreement was reached and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at 9am in front of Chief Labour Officer. The negotiation was conducted in a peculiar fashion. While negotiation was going on at the Labour Department, phone calls were exchanged between Chairman Becky Kwan and Legislative Councilor Lee Cheuk Yan who was bartering for FAU through Commissioner for Labour Department who in turn was speaking with CX’s CEO Tony Tyler. The whole ordeal was putting everyone’s strength to a big challenge. Our "FDP" exceeded legal or human limits because of the stress.
In essence, there are two gains:-
Unlimited free doctor visits for the first 4 months in 2008 and FAU will be included in the Working Group to review the Right Choice for 2009.
General Manager Inflight Services will meet with FAU on 11 January 2008 todiscuss matters concerning ALL cabin crews' working terms and conditions.
At all times Labour Department put pressure on FAU to call off the rally toshow good will for improving industrial relations. FAU was even asked to stop sending SMS in order for talks to proceed. To go ahead with the rally,it meant walking away from the negotiation table empty handed and declaring war with CX! The idea of allowing Members at the rally to vote on management’s offer was not likely, although at 6:00am, your Chairman was ready to call back the negotiation team.
Your Excos are not scared of calling for industrial actions if there is absolutely no other alternative. However, in the eyes of the traveling public, we may not be seen as a responsible union if we take drastic action because of the co-pay, although, within CX, we are all aware that the co-pay is the trigger point - one extra problem adding to several longstanding unresolved issues that built up our discontent.
In any negotiations, it is impossible to reach an outcome that can please all members and we are aware that some Members might have higher expectations. We have tried our best to present proposals that would be achieving NO Co-Pay, and for that CX management accused us of negotiating in bad faith. Most importantly, the improved terms now have been a union negotiated deal – a significant indication of Collective Bargaining.
As your elected representatives, we are mandated to call for industrial actions, but we have to be responsible and cautious for the best interests of all Members.
Looking back, Management has been making concession from its original position in early November. This happened ONLY because of the show of solidarity on 10 December at the rally in Chater Garden in Central. We know many Members were prepared for the rally and ready for action, and so were your Exco. But the game is NOT over yet, there will be lots of opportunities to show our muscles!
On 11 January 2008, GMIS will be meeting with FAU Excos when we will be presenting a long list of important issues to him.
We must reconvene our EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) that was adjourned from 3rd December to continue our unfinished business. You will be given a chance to air and share all your grievances. Most importantly,tell us what you want to bring to GMIS!
This adjourned EGM will be held before meeting with GMIS and most likely to be on 7 January 2008 at YMCA, Waterloo Road. Please watch out for further details confirming this date and venue.
In the mean time, we wish all Members and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
From the FAU Team