Cathay Pacific Strike 2012: Employees Threaten No Smiles to Customers

Cathay Pacific flight attendants are making threats to withhold alcohol food, and even smiles, over a pay dispute. The Associated Press reported that flight attendants on the Hong Kong based airline are in a union pay dispute and want a 5 percent pay increase.

The AP reported that Cathay Pacific is struggling and has offered a 2 percent increase with a 13^th month bonus.

Union General secretary Tsang Kwok-fung said to the AFP, "We will be selective in providing our services. This could include not smiling at passengers, not providing certain types of beverages - such as alcohol - or stop serving meals."

Tsang added, "In a nutshell it means passengers will still be able to reach their destinations except they are paying a five-star price to get a three-star service," Tsang said.

"Work-to-rule" is an action in which employees do the bare minimum required by the rules of their contract.

Tsang said to the AP, "We cannot smile because of the situation, because of how the company treats us."

There are nearly 6,000 people in the union and nearly 1,600 members voted on Monday for the actions after negotiations didn't work out the way they wanted. The AP reported that a strike may occur as a last resort.

The BBC reported that Cathay Pacific said, "We believe that the passengers should not be inconvenienced and there should not be unnecessary pressure on other colleagues."

Chief Operating Officer Ivan Chu said at a press briefing that Cathay Pacific had "comprehensive contingency plans," in case employees do choose to strike. He also expressed that he believes flights would not be affected even if a strike did occur, reported Business Traveller.

Chu Said according to Business Traveller, "Twenty-twelve has proven to be a challenging year with an extremely difficult operating environment. Our two per cent salary increment and the discretionary 13^th month payment have already taken into account a number of factors and is the most reasonable and the best we can offer amid the challenging business environment we are in," he said.