9th July 2011 – A Time for Reflection
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9th July 2011 – A Time for Reflection
In a couple of weeks it will be 10 years since Cathay Pacific Airways fired 49 pilots as a means of dealing with its work force, and in doing so, committing an act of industrial terrorism. Harsh words that I feel succinctly describe a heinous act.
On the eve of this anniversary I find myself reflecting upon the events of 2001, the causes, the lessons and the future.
Could such an act occur again?
In seeking an answer to this question, it didn’t take long to realise that that the answer actually lies within another question;
What has/has not changed since 9th July 2001?
In 2011, the Cathay Pacific’s management and its workforce are engaged in industrial exchanges over expatriate benefits, AFTLS, Rostering practices, basing contracts, etc, …. The list goes on. The adversarial relationship between the company and its workforce is as bad now as it has been in the past, it’s just that nobody has “pushed any buttons” for a while. The pressure to get on with things is building however and so, only time will tell where this is all leading.
The company still has a “star chamber” and the HKAOA still represents its members. Many of the faces have changed, but have the attitudes changed?
Presently the airline is grappling with a period of significant and substantial change within its fleets, its operations and its training. Significant change and yet some areas of the operations remain steadfastly unyielding to this change. Nothing has changed within Rostering, with the “blinkers” firmly up maintaining the “status quo” while the company attempts to “cut a more perfect diamond” within its proposed new AFTLS.
Meanwhile, the employees will have to stand up for themselves against a one-sided view of the future. Will we again see standing up for oneself on one side of the fence being viewed as industrial activism on the other side of the fence?
Why is it that the employees of this company are invariably left with more questions than they have answers?
Well, I think that it’s because nothing has really changed, which means there is a marked potential for further confrontation. How will each of us play it this time around?
Dragonfly
On the eve of this anniversary I find myself reflecting upon the events of 2001, the causes, the lessons and the future.
Could such an act occur again?
In seeking an answer to this question, it didn’t take long to realise that that the answer actually lies within another question;
What has/has not changed since 9th July 2001?
In 2011, the Cathay Pacific’s management and its workforce are engaged in industrial exchanges over expatriate benefits, AFTLS, Rostering practices, basing contracts, etc, …. The list goes on. The adversarial relationship between the company and its workforce is as bad now as it has been in the past, it’s just that nobody has “pushed any buttons” for a while. The pressure to get on with things is building however and so, only time will tell where this is all leading.
The company still has a “star chamber” and the HKAOA still represents its members. Many of the faces have changed, but have the attitudes changed?
Presently the airline is grappling with a period of significant and substantial change within its fleets, its operations and its training. Significant change and yet some areas of the operations remain steadfastly unyielding to this change. Nothing has changed within Rostering, with the “blinkers” firmly up maintaining the “status quo” while the company attempts to “cut a more perfect diamond” within its proposed new AFTLS.
Meanwhile, the employees will have to stand up for themselves against a one-sided view of the future. Will we again see standing up for oneself on one side of the fence being viewed as industrial activism on the other side of the fence?
Why is it that the employees of this company are invariably left with more questions than they have answers?
Well, I think that it’s because nothing has really changed, which means there is a marked potential for further confrontation. How will each of us play it this time around?
Dragonfly
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The Corruption
Things can only change when the corruption is stopped. This will have to be addressed by Mr. Slosar. In the SCMP last week it mentioned the cargo collusion charges and the many lawsuits still being filed against CX. This month alone there is a case in New York. The CAD said we could so we did, will NOT work as an excuse and I think it is weak and lame of CX to try this. What scares me is what the CAD allows CX to get away with.
Also, keep in mind the lying under oath during a labor case here in Hong Kong. What I find amazing is that ICAO is taking one of the most corrupt people EVER and placing him in charge. I am really stunned by this one but should not be. Wouldn't it be amazing and ironic if people start having to go to jail. Then and only then might they see the way of their trangressions. Little time behind bars might give one time to reflect. Sadly part of the corruption is pay off and as someone put it, unlimited first class seats to anywhere in the CX system might get that jail sentence at least changed to probation.
The current AFTL debacle is what worries me as the company agreed to the deal and is now, as usual, back peddling as they are doing with contracts in Australia. I know I am becoming a worn out record but I keep waiting for Mr. Slosar to address these issues which could be done overnight and nothing!
Oh well, we have been tricked and lied to before. Same Team Same Dream. Love that saying sad it just isn't true at all.
Also, keep in mind the lying under oath during a labor case here in Hong Kong. What I find amazing is that ICAO is taking one of the most corrupt people EVER and placing him in charge. I am really stunned by this one but should not be. Wouldn't it be amazing and ironic if people start having to go to jail. Then and only then might they see the way of their trangressions. Little time behind bars might give one time to reflect. Sadly part of the corruption is pay off and as someone put it, unlimited first class seats to anywhere in the CX system might get that jail sentence at least changed to probation.
The current AFTL debacle is what worries me as the company agreed to the deal and is now, as usual, back peddling as they are doing with contracts in Australia. I know I am becoming a worn out record but I keep waiting for Mr. Slosar to address these issues which could be done overnight and nothing!
Oh well, we have been tricked and lied to before. Same Team Same Dream. Love that saying sad it just isn't true at all.
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What I find amazing is that ICAO is taking one of the most corrupt people EVER and placing him in charge. I am really stunned by this one but should not be.
Nothing to do with ICAO except a professional relationship.
I don't know, maybe you were talking of someone else?
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From the calibre of the written English in his posts, Saturn is most definitely NOT the pilot who gained a Direct Entry Command on a light cargo twin in Africa - as detailed in Pravda.
"Captain Africa" (not Captain America) is a regular forum contributor, and many of his points have merit, however, the poor quality of his writing makes it difficult to decipher what they actually are. Maybe he should shoot for the VP Communications post....
"Captain Africa" (not Captain America) is a regular forum contributor, and many of his points have merit, however, the poor quality of his writing makes it difficult to decipher what they actually are. Maybe he should shoot for the VP Communications post....
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What would make such an angry AOA forum contributor, write an article ( in kindergarten english) in a Company publication openly admitting to breaking rules? What's going on in (up) there???? 
How the ED let it through with all the grammatical errors surprises me though.
How the ED let it through with all the grammatical errors surprises me though.
