What's up at Cathay?

[Say Altitude]

Had a buddy of mine do the 2nd round of interviews recently and when the subject of the recruitment ban came up, it was made crystal clear to him that it's still in effect and not only that, but if offered a position he'd have to sign a letter agreeing not to join the pilots association.

What's up? I thought this was resolved or soon to be??

Anyone out there with good intel?

[rudder]

05 June 2003

PRESS STATEMENT

IFALPA Lifts Cathay Pacific Pilot Recruitment Ban

Decision made at the request of the HKAOA in order to demonstrate its desire to forge a new

working relationship with management

London - 5 June 2003 - Today, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA)

continued its support for the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association (HKAOA) by announcing that it has

agreed to lift the recruitment ban on Cathay Pacific Airways and its subsidiaries.

The lifting of the recruitment ban was implemented following the HKAOA’s request. The ban was lifted as

part of its continuing support for the HKAOA, and the union’s effort to demonstrate a genuine desire to

remove all obstacles and resume dialogue with Cathay Pacific’s management, and ultimately resolve the

ongoing industrial dispute between the two parties.

IFALPA issued the ban in July 2001 in response to Cathay Pacific management’s decision to sack 51 pilots,

now dubbed The 49ers, without just cause or due process.

“The HKAOA requested that the ban be lifted to demonstrate a good-faith effort to forge a new working

relationship with management,” said John Findlay, General Secretary of the HKAOA. “Now Cathay Pacific

has absolutely no obstacles to delay the final resolution of one of the longest industrial disputes in aviation

history.”

IFALPA President, Captain Dennis Dolan, concurred, “After careful consideration of the HKAOA’s request,

IFALPA has lifted the ban against Cathay Pacific. We believe that the HKAOA’s request to lift the ban

underscores the Association’s commitment to a new and mutually beneficial relationship with management.”

Captain Dolan emphasized that IFALPA remains hopeful that talks between Cathay Pacific and the HKAOA

will produce positive results. “IFALPA, along with our 95 Member Associations around the world, will

continue to monitor the labour situation in Hong Kong and at Cathay as part of our continued support for

the HKAOA and all pilots worldwide.”

In March this year, the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation published an interim report

following a request from IFALPA. The report was highly critical of the role of both Cathay Pacific and the

Hong Kong Government, pointing to eroding employee rights in relation to the sackings and ongoing

intimidation of union members.

All queries and comments should be addressed to Debra Batson, IFALPA Media Communications Officer