Holidays bring Cathay and union to negotiating table

Airline says it will ensure customers are not inconvenienced in any way.

The Hong Kong Labor Department has invited Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. and the Flight Attendants Union to meet this week to avoid a planned industrial action that could lead to a strike.

The union, which represents 5,800 of Cathay’s 9,000 flight attendants, last week authorized its leaders to initiate industrial action after a disagreement over a proposed pay rise for 2013. It asked for a 5% pay hike while Cathay offered 2%.

Cathay is concerned its flight attendants could go on strike over the New Year or the February Chinese Lunar New Year holiday if it fails to respond to requests for negotiations.

“We know many Hong Kong people have travel plans over the peak year-end season and it is certainly our priority to ensure that our customers are not inconvenienced in any way,” said Liza Ng, general manager of cabin crews.