The Cathay Pacific Flight Attendants Union said it would move ahead with plans to take industrial action, after the company's management failed to respond to a 3 pm, Tuesday deadline to go back to the bargaining table for more contract talks.

The union expressed deep disappointment with the company's stance, saying it would convene immediately an "industrial action preparation committee". The union is not ruling out a strike without notice over Christmas and New Year.

Vice-chairman of the union, Julian Yau, said, "We will hold an extraordinary general meeting next Monday to discuss and approve the content of the industrial action, and call on all members to participate in this action." He did not disclose when the action would take place, saying it would be held secret.

Meanwhile, the union demanded management go back to the negotiating table to continue talks.

The company offered a 2 percent salary increase while the union demands 5. However, the union said it was prepared to negotiate on the basis of improved working conditions.

"We would rather give up a 2 percent salary raise if the company (would) let us exchange for some conditions," Yau said. "Management should not use the interests of passengers as bargaining chips to force staff to do something that would be harmful to everyone".

Yau indicated that the company actually cut the outport allowances for flight attendants, which accounts for one-third of their total salary. He said that represents an overall salary reduction of over 10 percent.

Cathay Pacific responded that the discussion with the attendants union on year-end arrangements has ended, and said that the 2 percent salary increment plan for next year is a "fair, reasonable and competitive offer in view of the extreme challenges the airline is facing".

Liza Ng, general manager of cabin crew at the airline, said, "We are also happy and prepared to meet with the FAU (the union) to discuss various lifestyle and operating matters, provided that they remove the threat of industrial action."

The company would welcome constructive, sensible discussions to address matters of mutual concern at any time, but certainly not under any type of threat, especially threats that will affect operations, staff, and the travelling public, added Ng.

She said that the airline always has contingency plans to cope with pressure on its resources arising from different types of disruptions.

Three hundred flight attendants on Monday afternoon staged a protest over the company's offer, at Chek Lap Kok airport.

fanfeifei@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 12/05/2012 page1)