Hong Kong pilots seek talks over sackings

Continuing industrial action threatens to damage Cathay's reputation

By CNN's Patricia Lai

HONG KONG, China -- The reinstatement of sacked pilots has to become part of the agenda if negotiations between the pilots' union and Cathay Pacific are to resume, says the union.

Delays and cancelled flights have followed a pay-and-conditions dispute between the airline, based in Hong Kong, and its pilots has triggered.

The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association -- representing more than 85 percent of the airline's 1,500 pilots -- says that they do not plan at this stage to escalate their limited industrial action.

Some sacked pilots have reported being mistreated by the company. The association have identified 40 of the 52 sacked members because Cathay Pacific management refused to provide names of the dismissed pilots.

A pilot, who was away from his family having flown to America on duty for Cathay Pacific, was awoken at 2 am and told by management that he was dismissed, the union says.

Another pilot knew that he was dismissed after reporting for duty for a long-haul flight and finding his electronic access card did not work.

The union describes Cathay Pacific management's behavior as "shameful" and said the pilots and their families are going through a terribly distressing time.

The airline has blamed the union for "starting the whole thing" with "unreasonable" demands for pay rises.

Cathay cancelled 29 of 143 flights on Tuesday and 14 of 144 flights Wednesday, blaming the union for the disruption to passengers.

But pilots argue their limited industrial action has not resulted in flights being cancelled.

They said the disruption over the past few days was caused firstly by Typhoon Utor and, secondly, by Cathay Pacific management, who decided to leave more than 12 Cathay Pacific aircraft on the ground although there were more than 100 pilots on standby who could have flown the aircraft.

Cathay has also said a pay and rostering package, with rises of up to nine percent, would cost the airline an additional $25.64 million (HK$200 million) a year.