Massive Cathay Strike
 

Cathay Pacific pilots are expected to vote on massive strike action this month. Union meetings are scheduled for mid May at which time pilots will decide upon action to be taken.

The main issues are rostering practices and the continual attacks on working conditions. Pilots complain that rosters are constantly changing with some crew never flying a single rostered trip in a month. This results in disruptions at work and home leading to increased stress and illness. One Cathay pilot recently said, 'We just don't know what to expect when we arrive at work. You plan to return home that night and are suddenly told you won't return for five days. Imagine the effect this has on your family.'

Approximately 14000 roster changes occured in December alone. That's 10 roster changes per pilot per month. The company are currently investigating the problem. One solution offered is to pay pilots an hourly rate to encourage them to fly overtime. Junior pilots have been offered as little as HKD30/hr(USD3.85/hr) in extra pay. The company claims this will compensate pilots for the pay cuts they have received while encouraging overtime. Most pilots asked consider the offer insulting. 'It would'nt cover a return bus ticket to the airport,' a pilot said.'They steal from you with one hand and offer it back with the other.'


Rostering negotiations with the company broke down again on the 30th of April, the cutoff date for an agreement to be reached. Unless the Labour Department intervenes or an 11th hour agreement can be brokered it is unlikely a strike in June can be avoided.

Most pilots expect action in the form of a sick-out rather than a complete strike. Labour laws in Hong Kong allow the company to sack any pilots undertaking strike action which means a sick-out is their only viable option. 'Cathay would love the pilots to go on strike because they could fire us all and replace us with cheaper crew from Malaysia, the Philipines and China. They threatened this 18 months ago when they cut our pay,' a pilot said. 'Management hate having to pay higher salaries to British, Australian and Canadian pilots when pilots from so called third world countries could be payed much less.'

Management are currently conducting interviews in Malaysia for crew. They are reported to be testing the suitability of pilots from countries that would allow them to pay much lower salaries. Pilots argue that Cathay passengers expect a high level of safety equivalent to that found in the US, Britain and Australia. This is why Cathay pilots receive better pay than their mainland China counterparts and Cathay has the safety record to prove it.

Unless rostering negotiations can be solved and the management stop intimidating pilots with tactics such as cheaper crew, absence management programs another pay cut next month it is unlikely that a major shutdown of the airline can be averted.

It is hard for an outsider to fathom the level and degree of anger that the pilots are holding towards our management. We have been subject to unwarranted attack for nearly 8 years now. There is not a single category of aircrew, or indeed any other group of employees that does not possess a deep and abiding loathing of our management. It is a tragedy that a once wonderful employer made a decision to go to war against their own employees, the very same employees that have helped establish it's reputation for safety, service and reliability. The management of this airline have put all of this at risk, and indeed, have now put the very safety of the travelling public at risk. We are going to take action on behalf of that same public, and our profession. A study of the facts over the past 8 years will show that we have a cast-iron case to make condemning the management of this airline, and the only option open to us is to take drastic industrial action. Our apologies to the public for the inconvenience this will undoubtably cause them, but we are left with no choice but to embark on such a course. The end result will be a safer and more settled airline. My main hope is that the HK Labour Department has seen this managements duplicitous dealings for what they are, and insist that the Swire's begin to treat us with the consideration and respect we deserve. We have provided decades of safe and reliable service to the people of HK, and ALL of that is being put at risk for the sake of obscene profits. Enough.

Two very well put together posts guys. I could not have said it better myself.
Lets put this airline back together again!!!!

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I find it very sad to see such a big company to be split in the middle of management, I hope everything works out for everyone. I know it is difficult and hard and if it requires for them to let go of some power or for you guys to have some patience, it just takes time. Please realize that the past will never come into effect but hopefully you will all come together one day and settle once and for all. As a passenger, this situation is a little sticky and scary as to whether or not to take CX, even though their pilots are extremely trustworthy and professional.

Hope no one takes this as an insult but ease the pains to know that somewhere in between this mess, there is light.

Take care!

smallwing, thank you for your contribution. I would like to give you just one of many examples of the appalling treatment I have suffered from this management. I joined this airline in 1987. Over the first 7 years of my career, I did all that was asked of me. I worked on day's off to cover a flight so that it wouldn't have to cancel. I went to work during Typhoons on day's off to move the aircraft to other airports around the region so that they would not incure damage. I FLEW during appalling conditions into Kai Tak, holding the lives of 400+ passengers in my hands, and delivered them safely to thier waiting family members (those of you who have been passengers during an arrival during a typhoon know exacltly what I am talking about). I sacrificed the opportunity to be living in my home country, and accepted the compromise of living in HK because it was worth it to work for the best airline in the world. In 1994, CX offered us the opportunity of living back in my home country. The deal was as follows: I would maintain my present salary (more about that later), but would have to pull out of the provident fund (lump sum pension payout). If I was to stay with CX, living in HK until retirement at age 55, I would realise a healthy lump sum payout. CX told us that if we were to opt for a home basing, we would be forced to pull out of the provident fund, but would be payed 15.5% of our salary in lieu. Most of us did the 'sums'....and, as I was only 39 at the time, I opted to give up the possiblity of the provident fund, and committed to saving the 15.5%, and some of my regular salary, in the hopes of investing to provide for me and my families retirement. Sounds ok so far...? Well, what happened was this. After 3 years on the base, in March of 98, I recieved a letter from our management that said, in not so many words the following: Choose either of these options. a) accept a 33% paycut! b) come back to HK (but NOT back into the provident fund....how convenient for the company!) c) be terminated after June 11 if I had not accepted either a or b.

So....after almost 11 years of loyal service, and having bet my families future on moving back to my home base and pulling out of the provident fund, the company was subjecting me to a 33% pay cut, WHICH incidentally, was exactly the amount of money I was putting aside for retirement, as that was the amount I figured I would have to save to make up for not being in the provident fund. The company's excuse for this were: a) the company was in 'dire' financial difficulty b) we were the 'highest' paid in the industry, and grossly overpaid at that.

Facts: we long ago lost the title 'worlds highest paid' aircrew. In 'real' terms, the new Delta contract has an 'equivalent' pilot earning 2.5 times as much as me. I fly on average 80 hours a month (with another 80-90 hours of duty that never seems to be mentioned by our management when telling the public how much I 'work' in a month...). A Delta Captain fly's on average 55 hours a month. He is paid a base salary that is 1.5 times mine. He has a pension plan that will pay him over 4 million USD in retirement. I have one that will pay me.... '0'. I have no say over where I fly, or what days I get off. The Delta Captain has complete control over both.

Back to the main point. After 11 years of loyal service, I get a letter telling me, sign or be fired.... Very nice. On top of this, the reasoning for it is proven only 6 months later to be complete and utter dishonesty. CX has just turned in it's highest profit in it's 55 year history. That's some financial crisis. Oh, did CX management tell you that they are subjecting us to ANOTHER paycut in June...? Probably not. Even less chance of being secure in retirement. Now, they decide to implement their newest program designed to intimidate and threaten us. Called the 'Absence Management Program', it contains the following statement. 'Any pilot who reports sick more than 5 times, will be DENIED the opportunity to apply for an overseas basing, and his 'promotional' prospects will be compromised'. Well, the ONLY consequence of this ill-considered threat is that you will now have MANY CX aircraft being crewed by ill and disabled aircrew. Many of us will not wish to risk their careers by incurring the wrath of this venal management. Next time you get on board a CX aircraft, chances are one or more of the aircrew could be physically impaired. With the appalling schedules we have been labouring under, many of us are 'naturally' becoming fatigued, and physically unwell. Instead of the management trying to find ways to improve the terrible work conditions they have generated, their answer is to try and threaten us even further.

So, over the past few years I have been subjected to:

a) erosion of my working conditions
b) intimidation and threats
c) threat of termination
d) 33% paycut, after being tricked out of my provident fund
e) a deliberate devaluing in the eyes of the public and the other employee groups in CX
f) reduction of my families medical benefits
g) another paycut coming in June
h) complete and utter disruption of my lifestyle with no ability to schedule my family life
i) inability to plan for retirement

....needless to say, I could go on. I appreciate the publics concern about any disruption to CX's service. I just hope that an open minded individual can understand just some of what I have written about, and perhaps accept that most of us are at our wit's end.....and that the latest program regarding sickness is in fact putting THEIR lives at a greatly increased risk. Perhaps you could call CX management and ask them to explain all of this. When they try to tell you that 'we' are the unreasonable ones....just consider that CX has managed to turn the most loyal, professional aircrew in the industry (which directly results in the highest safety standards) into the most unhappy, disillussioned group in the industry with the highest sick rate. Ask your self this: If we were the former, who's fault is it that we are now the later? We have no choice but to take action to protect our futures, and the public's safety. I tell you this last statement in all honesty: Over the past few years, I have felt forced (remember, threats and intimidation)to fly many times when feeling ill, fatigued and generally 'not with it'. In one case I felt so ill on approach into HK that I became dizzy and had to have the co-pilot take over. I can tell you with deadly seriousness that this is happening frequently with different pilots in this company, and will only increase in frequency. Scare tactics.....? Well, what do YOU think the consequence of the new 'Absence Management Program' will be...? This management has lost all in the way of morals and integrity. A tragedy is imminent. A temporary shutdown of this airline is the least of worries for the public of HK. I weep for what this airline has become......but the people at the front of the aircraft are the best in the world at what we do....led by the worst of managements. Please support us.


[This message has been edited by air pressure (edited 04 May 2001).]

Well said 'air pressure'. I am in exactly the same position as you but I'm a little older.
Ladies and gentlemen of the public - even now whilst we are all under such appalling intimidation from our so-called Managers, our main priority whilst at work is YOUR SAFETY. Management are of the opinion that an accident would be an acceptable price to pay if they got the 'cost base' down in the long term.
I don't know where the morals of the board room have gone but they are surely absent in CX. Don't believe anyone could be that cynical?
They told us we would be fired if we didn't accept a 3 year deal involving a 30% (roughly) pay cut because the Company was in such poor a financial state that its' very survival was at stake. We accepted and literally months later (Sept) they had the biggest monthly profit they had ever made.
How they must have laughed and drunk to our stupidity.
All I will say is this - WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND....

As a passenger who have flown on CX many times during the past ten years, I am very touched by Air pressure and Jagman's posts.

If it hasn't been done already this should be forwarded to the SCMP and the HK Standard. If it's not done soon I will do it myself.

Excellent post Air Pressure.

Right on the money, so to speak.

Mr Cathay Pathetic,

A quick question for you?

Does paying a pilot more money make him a better pilot?

You state,

"Management are currently conducting interviews in Malaysia for crew. They are reported to be testing the suitability of pilots from countries that would allow them to pay much lower salaries. Pilots argue that Cathay passengers expect a high level of safety equivalent to that found in the US, Britain and Australia. This is why Cathay pilots receive better pay than their mainland China counterparts and Cathay has the safety record to prove it."

Cathay passengers do expect a high level of safety. (I am one of them!) However when I fly Malaysia, Singapore and even Garuda I also expect a high level of safety. Just because I expect it, doesn't mean I am going to get it.

Certainly CX complicate matters by always portraying the silver haired expat as the Captain in there advertising campaigns. He is always about 3 foot taller than is Asian counterpart (give me soem poetic licence.) At least the adverts stops short of the female cabin crew fainting at his feet although they do seem to be looking at him as an 'enlightened source.'

I find your statement that recruiting Pilots from Malaysia as politically incorrect as the airlines advertising. What I would say is that going on strike to make a point will drive the airline harder to find cheaper non striking personnel. The airline is run as a business and not as a club for the staff.

Your point regarding rostering is noted. Good luck with that. However you yourself have stated that the airline is aware that it is a problem and so I do not see how striking will help. If they were ignoring it or not acknowleding it, then I could see it as justified.

D M, Its a very simplistic question so you deserve a simplistic answer. YES

My respects to all flight crew, like Air Pressure and Jagman. Especially on this past month in which CX hit you guys with only 3 weeks + up 7k, I think.

I also know that Delta has gotten what they wanted, in lieu of sacking over 150 (i think more but can't remember) fresh pilots from their Comair section. BUT, they got the situation finished and everyone is happy.

Now also as well with the MPF in Hong Kong, looking towards to really get money from your P Funds are just ridiculous.

I also have heard of your rostering, you inability to see who you are flying with on MAYFLY, and all the O DAYs you all receive.

Would it be possible to settle one thing at a time? I am not in any party of the airline nor the AOA, so I am not familiar with the terms, but I figure sort out one thing at a time. Would that make things easier.

Guys and Girls of the Flight Deck, chin up, have a beer, and for the time being, think of the good ol' days and hope for the best!

airpressure, your posting is the most lucid explanation of the state of play that I have read and you have done a great service by posting such minus the invective of some others on this forum.
Mr Mccracken, good luck on SQ, Garuda and Malaysian....I will not fly with 2 of the 3...EVER...personal and informed opinion to which I am entitled, as sir are you, however it does show that you are at best ill informed.
Understand that of 30 odd applications for KL position that few were deemed acceptable.

Mr Busy B,

I have no idea if you are a CX pilot or not but if you are and you should have the good fortune to find me on your flight just let me know. I will take my little hat of my little head and go around and ask my fellow passengers for a collection for the poor pilot who is grossly underpaid. Fear not kind sir if, at first, some of the passengers refuse to put a penny in my hat. I will explain to them that giving the pilots more money is contributing to their safety. Surely none of them will refuse then!

Mr Firewall. Few of the KL pilots may have been deemed suitalbe for CX but I am sure those that were would be happy to work for less than you.

Ill informed I may be! (Maybe, but maybe not!)

Dear Mr mccracken (sic),

Higher pay generally has the effect of attracting the best in the market. This applies in our field just as, I am quite sure, it applies in yours. CX used to pay the best and generally got the best. The guys recruited today are still pretty sh@t hot, however, the money continues to go down. What is the future? Maybe I won't be using all my retirement travel benefits.

Good day sir.

[This message has been edited by mole (edited 04 May 2001).]

D Mc, Your response shows that you did not really want an answer to your question. The higher the salary an airline offers the more selective they can be in their selection of pilots because more will apply. As the salary rises hence more qualified and more experienced pilots will show an interest. If you then employ these pilots and tempt them from their previous employers you instantly have a much higher level of experience on your flightdeck. This equates to the safer airline on which you, no doubt, desire to fly as passenger. If, however, you then start to cut these salaries and break contracts you must expect a reaction. For a supposed onlooker to start tossing in ill-researched and offensive comments and expect to be taken seriously is beyond a joke. Yes, you can ask questions, but please take the trouble to look back over the past few years threads if you really want to make a useful contribution to these threads.

CX guys,

No I do not work for Cathay, nor do I wish too. Read entirely too much bad stuff here.

It is about you all pull in the same direction, perhaps with 17 differnet contracts there is lack of cohesion amongst the pilot group, I hope not.

Go on a sickout, teh company cannot replace you, as much as they posture, logistically it is not possible, so it becomes a nonthreat. But all of you agree something has to be done, so DO IT. You have all been lamenting the downward course of the spiral, but have not done much to show your true displeasure. Delta showed their convictions and got a raise, I am sure the same will happen to you,if you show some resolve.

The very best of luck to all of you.

External pressure can be applied! If each crew member contacts his/her local or national newspaper and lets them know of the deteriorating conditions that you work under and how safety is being compromised. The flying public has a right to know what pressure the people at the pointy end are under.

Mr BusyB,

Maybe my post was touching on the sarcastic but it was not meant to be offensive. My post maybe did not deserve an answer but you have now given me one. What you say is correct.

You have every right to defend your position and I wish you well. I do not know and can therefore have no opinion about you.

However!

The cost of finding a good cheap pilot will cost more than finding a good expensive one. However if an airline can find a good cheap pilot then this cost will be recovered over the duration of his / her service.

You are correct! The pilots that work for reputable airlines are probably (but not exclusively and absolutely) good. That, however, does not mean that pilots that work for mickey mouse airlines are necessarily bad.

I have been accused of being ill informed. All I am trying to do is provoke thought.

OK so let's assume I agree with you. You are saying (correct me if I am wrong) that Cathay Pacific pilots are amongst the best. You are now trying to warn potential passengers of gloom and doom because you believe that the airline is now hiring sub-standard pilots (in the form of cheaper ones.)

What I cannot understand is why?

If Cathay Pilots are the amongst best in the world then surely they can obtain gainful employment elsewhere. (Me thinks that cannot be your concern.)What is apparent is that across the world all airlines are trying to save money. Some are doing it by reducing service to its passengers and others are doing it by cutting employee fees. Some are doing both and more.

The fact of the matter is (hard as it is to swallow) that the longer serving Cathay Pilots are amongst the highest payed in the industry. While you have every right to defend this, you must realise that you are in a market place.

To Summise my point..

Cheap good pilots are available, they are just harder to find.

Mr McCracken,

Let me put it another way,

You are lured away from your National airline or decline a position with your National airline to live in HK as an Expat.

You look at the contract, make your decision, move your family, sell your house ect.

The company reneges on the contract, ruins your family life with destructive rosters, constantly reduces your COS, shows you no respect!!

You are then pressured to go to work sick.

Can you not see the safety issue!!!!

No comment please 411A

[This message has been edited by HUSTLER (edited 04 May 2001).]