Cathay employee fired after Hong Kong protests to return to her job



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The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, a large local trade union organization, called for Cathay Pacific (CPCAY) Friday to "respect the freedom of speech of employees". These remarks followed the dismissal of one of the leaders of his affiliated union, flight attendant of the regional airline Cathay Dragon.

The flight attendant, Rebecca Sy, told reporters about her shot. She claimed that she was preparing for a flight to Mainland China earlier this week when she was suddenly withdrawn and confronted by the company's leadership about Facebook publications, which she considered too political.

Sy claims that she has never violated any rules and that she is now asking to be reinstated.

Cathay Pacific declined to comment on the details of Sy's situation.

"We would like to reiterate that we do not discriminate against union members or their activities," a spokesman told CNN Business.

"Any action taken by the [airline] with respect to our employees is always in strict accordance with the terms of their respective employment contracts as well as applicable laws and regulations, "added the spokesperson.

The pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong plunged Cathay Pacific, the city's flagship carrier with 27,000 employees, into disarray.

Chinese state media have criticized Cathay workers who took part in illegal protests, and the airline has pledged to fire the found workers. The bottom line of the company was also directly affected by the turmoil: bookings fell and hundreds of flights were canceled when protesters occupied the airport.
The airline's CEO and sales director resigned last week and at least two pilots were fired for demonstrations reasons, a well-placed source told CNN.
Cathay's relationship with Beijing has become a major source of tension. Earlier this month, the Chinese mainland authorities said they would not allow Cathay flights piloted by people involved in "illegal demonstrations, demonstrations and violent attacks", above their airspace, according to the same rule.

At a press conference Friday, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions called on Cathay to "respect employees' freedom of speech."

"We have never given up on our company.Unfortunately, the company has abandoned me," Sy said, adding that she had spent her entire 17 year career at Cathay.

Rebecca Sy, who was fired from Cathay Pacific's sister airline, Cathay Dragon, at a press conference on Friday.

Sy said she was preparing for a flight to Hangzhou on Tuesday, while she had been asked to stay in Hong Kong.

The next day, Sy said that she had been summoned to a meeting with company officials, who had shown her three screenshots of messages posted on her private Facebook page.

One of the messages contained remarks where Sy said she feared going to Mainland China.

Another showed it post-it on a plane to wish a happy birthday to his colleague. The air hostess says the managers have used screen capture to accuse him of making a mini "Lennon wall", similar to the solidarity posters of pro-democracy protesters that have sprung up around the city.

After confirming that the posts had been posted to her Facebook account, Sy was immediately fired, she said.

When she asked why she had been fired, company officials reportedly stated that they could not explain why.

Sy was then asked to hand over her ID card and escort her out of the office, she told reporters.

Former Cathay Dragon employee Rebecca Sy, center, with Hong Kong union organizers on Friday.

The former air hostess says his story has created a cooling effect among his colleagues.

Some 1,200 Cathay Pacific crew members and 600 Cathay Dragon personnel participated in a major strike at Hong Kong International Airport earlier this month, according to the Hong Confederation of Trade Unions. Kong.

An increasing number of workers have suffered serious consequences since then. At least 11 aviation workers have already been fired this month, said Carol Ng, a local union activist who also spoke at the press conference on Friday.

"Terrified, all my colleagues are terrified," said Sy.

Jill Disis and Stella Ko contributed to this report.

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