‘Gross mismanagement ...’ Cathay Pacific pilots slam claim work-to-rule hit airline’s growth
Dispute escalates as union says postponement of new routes was down to ‘gross mismanagement’
The union representing Cathay Pacific pilots has hit back angrily at claims their work-to-rule action has hampered the airline’s growth, saying “gross mismanagement” was instead to blame.
Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA) general secretary Chris Beebe challenged management’s assertion that the work-to-rule was to blame for the postponement of new routes and an increase in flight frequency.
In a letter to union members which demonstrates the depth of bad feeling generated by the year-long pilot action, Beebe accused management of trying to pass on blame for its own “poor choices and strategies”.
“... gross mismanagement of costs with respect to fuel hedging and inciting employee discontent ...”
The real cause of the poor performance when business should be flourishing, he argued, was “gross mismanagement of costs with respect to fuel hedging and inciting employee discontent”.
Cathay Pacific last night said the letter contained “inaccurate assertions” and insisted it was trying its best to resolve outstanding issues with its pilots.
The union, which represents 2,100 of Cathay’s 2,900 pilots, began a work-to-rule in December 2014 over pay and rosters. While the pay issue has been resolved, the dispute over rosters and other issues is continuing.
The letter from Beebe signed on behalf of the union’s general committee and sent out on Friday – the day after the rebranding of Dragonair was announced – said: “Do not allow the pomp and ceremony of the rebrand of Cathay Pacific to avert your attention from the reality that the current problems will continue at the airline until it makes a sea change in the manner it chooses to work with its employees.”