Hong Kong pilots’ union close to civil war after deal to end dispute with Cathay Pacific managers voted down
- Proposals have been floated to oust union leaders and the negotiators responsible for extracting concessions from airline
- The jockeying for influence comes despite calls for unity inside the organisation, with much of the blame laid at the feet of negotiators
Hong Kong’s pilots are on the brink of civil war as rank-and-file union members seek to sack their leaders following the overwhelming rejection of an offer from Cathay Pacific managers to settle a long-standing industrial dispute.
Pilots have rushed out proposals since Friday to oust their representatives at the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association after a solution to end the dispute was voted down.
The jockeying for influence comes despite calls for unity inside the organisation. Much of the blame has been laid at the feet of negotiators responsible for extracting an offer from the airline.
Some 78 per cent of pilots rejected the offer, with a turnout of 96 per cent, making the likelihood greater of a change at the top. It was the second time pilots had canned an offer, but the margin of rejection was much greater this time. In 2016 a deal was voted down by only a narrow gap. A total of 2,276 pilots voted on the latest offer.
A pilot who declined to be named said: “There are currently 11 motions put forth by a group of pilots that will remove the current union leadership and change some of union policy, and unite the pilot group moving forward for any future negotiations.