Typhoon Mangkhut - What really happened

[flyera359]

Not sure if many have seen, but this letter from our DFO to our HKAOA chairman was sent on whatsapp. I'm appalled the AOA defended why we should cease contract compliance during a typhoon, especially after this letter came not long before.

This also explains why every other department was updated about the typhoon from their respective bosses, except the pilot group at CX (even the Dragon crews were updated directly by their DFO). Our DFO thinks that we don't need to be updated separate from any other group because we "work for Cathay Pacific and not the HKAOA". Therefore we should not expect any special treatment....such as typhoon and work updates...from him!

How lost is he? I think its about time someone reminded him that just because we follow our contract does not mean we have gone into some sort of industrial action. Here is the letter, which has been hidden by the union committees, until one leaked it.

From the DFO:

Dear Darryl,

Further to your email today, my response is as follows:

Cathay Pacific is dealing with a significant operational challenge brought about by the passage of Typhoon Mangkhut. We are being supported by our staff in HKG who are being asked to go the extra mile and, for many, to sacrifice time with their families in order to manage the operation during this difficult period. Similarly, staff at outports are looking after the interests of our HKG-bound and sixth-freedom customers and our crews, all of whom are facing major disruptions to their itineraries and rosters.

We truly appreciate the fantastic support we are receiving from staff in all categories, including our pilots who we know will be available and ready to operate our flights when the weather permits, both before and after the passage of Mangkhut in the case of Hong Kong operations, and also in terms of keeping the operation going in the rest of the network.

We will in all likelihood cease operations in Hong Kong during the early hours of 16th September, however, the company will not cease operations in the rest of its network. In relation to Hong Kong operations, we expect pilots to be available to operate as and when called upon to do so. To expect otherwise would be disingenuous, undermining the professional integrity of the majority who pride themselves in operating to high standards in support of our business. There will be NO message to you or anyone in the HKAOA, neither will we post any information regarding the “cessation of operations” to support your request. Any information will be posted as per our established protocols to advise our passengers and other customers; you are welcome to keep an eye on those communications.

No emails will be sent to “ALL CREW.”

I must point out that Cathay pilots work for Cathay Pacific, not the HKAOA. The company will be the point of contact and we stand ready to assist our pilots just as I believe they stand ready to assist the company. On the other hand, if anyone is observed to be in Contract Compliance of any form, or if individuals are pressured into any form of action that could be damaging to the company, all necessary action will be taken.

Finally, your e-mail compels me to express my utter disbelief and profound disappointment that the HKAOA has chosen to leverage a typhoon, mere hours before it is scheduled to make landfall, to further an industrial agenda.

I look forward to the full cooperation of our pilots during the coming days.

Yours sincerely,

Chris

[SandwichOfficer]

If the HKAOA Chairman had released it to the membership he would have got the highest support for Contract Compliance since 2014!!

[Tea time]

The AOA has over the last few years become totally ineffective , they are basically a toothless waste of time .
Having said that, this situation that we find ourselves in is the memberships fault . As a combined group we need to grow a pair and do what is necessary . Your choice but your careers are on the line .....

[Natca]

Originally Posted by betpump5

No its not. The fault lies with the Chairman as we look to that position for leadership. That's right, leadership. Not someone who hides behind anecdotal evidence that the membership won't strike or feel like any type of escalation is a no no. That's what leadership is for.

What's the plan, Chairman????

Look, Im all for more aoa leadership and action however I think there is probably a legal issue about the typhoon release from CC. Think about if someone gets hurt or dies durring a typhoon due to CC, there is liability there.

[flyera359]

Originally Posted by Natca

Look, Im all for more aoa leadership and action however I think there is probably a legal issue about the typhoon release from CC. Think about if someone gets hurt or dies durring a typhoon due to CC, there is liability there.

Hi Natca. There actually isn't. The Hong Kong Govt has put out guidelines during typhoons starting at typhoon 8. It has asked companies to begin telling employees they don't need to come to work if they can't by T8. A T10 is a no go.

You are not expected to even try to go to work, and a company that forces you to would be in trouble with the labour union. If a T10 is hoisted and Crew ops is calling, chances are its because your flight is cancelled, which is something you can see from crew lists or even google. Anything less and its probably to change you to a different flight.

I also ask what would be the difference typhoon or not? If you got hurt going to work on a nice day, would it make a difference for contract compliance? Like all of the staff emails say (somehow ground staff get the green light to stay home), by T8 try and come to work and if you honestly can't then don't and give a call. Your safety is always number one, and contract compliance does not change this.

[flyera359]

"On the other hand, if anyone is observed to be in Contract Compliance of any form, or if individuals are pressured into any form of action that could be damaging to the company, all necessary action will be taken"

Its this quote that really gets me. If anyone is seen abiding by their contracts in any form...all necessary action will be taken. What action? What can you do? The fact our union did not immediately respond to this is beyond me.

[Sand Man]

Does the AOA Chairman need to be employed by Cathay? If not then there will be no concerns over ones future prospects within the company, opening the door to stronger leadership.

[hyg]

Originally Posted by flyera359

"On the other hand, if anyone is observed to be in Contract Compliance of any form, or if individuals are pressured into any form of action that could be damaging to the company, all necessary action will be taken"

Its this quote that really gets me. If anyone is seen abiding by their contracts in any form...all necessary action will be taken. What action? What can you do? The fact our union did not immediately respond to this is beyond me.

This is nuts.... 1. Contract compliance is a normal practice as opposed to industrial action. 2. even IF it was considered as industrial action, isn't it illegal to threaten staff disciplinary action on the basis on union activities? This should be sent to the labour department for investigation or release to the local press

[Freehills]

There you go - DFO has said mustn’t comply to the contract. No need to turn at up work at all then

[reazasassain]

I did not think it was possible but this is a new low. A new low for Cathay management and a new low for the AOA. I highly doubt CX legal signed off on that email from the Jellyfish. There is no doubt that this email if true is in direct conflict with the companies intimidation policy. And then there's the AOA. I am completely mystified as to what is going on in the minds of our elected leaders? Why are they filtering their correspondence from Cathay. Why was this letter or email not posted to the members on the AOA web page?

Is it true Darryl is only focused on trying to push through the result of the failed negotiations??. If so who does he work for? Was Daryl or the AOA involved in the development of COS 18? There are some serious questions that need to be answered by the AOA.

[Liam Gallagher]

Interesting questions reazassain.

As someone said on whatsapp, the moment Darryl & Co offered concessions during HPE, weakness was shown and at some stage the company would exploit that weakness. During HPE, Darryl & Co offered;

- No increments.
- Reduced P Fund contribution
- Changes to HDP/EFP thresholds.

Those concessions sound remarkably like COS18. Whilst I am sure Darryl & Co will vehemently deny they were the architects of COS18, you really have to wonder if they gave the company the idea or encouraged (albeit unwittingly) the company to introduce COS18.

Put another way, rather hard for Darryl & Co to challenge the company over COS18, when last year they were offering the same concessions on behalf of us all.

[unitedabx]

Originally Posted by reazasassain

I did not think it was possible but this is a new low. A new low for Cathay management and a new low for the AOA. I highly doubt CX legal signed off on that email from the Jellyfish. There is no doubt that this email if true is in direct conflict with the companies intimidation policy. And then there's the AOA. I am completely mystified as to what is going on in the minds of our elected leaders? Why are they filtering their correspondence from Cathay. Why was this letter or email not posted to the members on the AOA web page?

Is it true Darryl is only focused on trying to push through the result of the failed negotiations??. If so who does he work for? Was Daryl or the AOA involved in the development of COS 18? There are some serious questions that need to be answered by the AOA.

The email from the DFO was NOT marked confidential and therefore according to HKAOA rules SHOULD have been made available to all paid up members. In fact it was witheld by the Chairman in clear breach of these rules. Grounds for instant removal as Chairman. Get rid of the little f****er.