Cathay Pacific ends ban on unions to train pilots

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. said on Wednesday it would no longer allow its unionized pilots to refuse training, despite a nearly four-year union ban.

Cathay's relationship with its more than 3,000 pilots has become tense as the airline seeks to reduce costs as part of a three-year transformation plan to make it more competitive with its Chinese competitors and the Middle East and its low cost carriers.

The union's ban on pilot training made it more difficult for the air carrier to quickly promote pilots as it increased its capabilities and when the worldwide shortage of pilots encouraged some expatriate pilots to accept other jobs.

A spokesman for Cathay said the ban was in effect since 2015.

"The selection and appointment of training captains will be at the discretion of the company," Cathay's spokesman said on Wednesday about the new policy. "This means that the appropriate drivers no longer have the right to refuse a training appointment."

Under cover of anonymity, a Cathay pilot told Reuters that these roles were generating extra pay and that some captains had left the union to badume them during the ban. But the pilot also said that the company's actions would probably not be welcomed by the workers.

Cathay's spokesperson said the company's trainers were criticized during the ban for supporting the company's training programs, which allowed novice pilots to progress.

The Hong Kong Crew Officers Association (HKAOA) said Wednesday night that she could not comment immediately.

In January, members of the HKAOA voted against a contract proposal providing for a pay raise of at least 1% and certain housing guarantees, even if it had been recommended by union leaders.

The announcement to the drivers of the ban was made soon after Cathay agreed to buy the discount carrier Hong Kong Express Airways Ltd. from the Chinese conglomerate with money short HNA Group for HK $ 4.93 billion ($ 628 million), allowing it to gain a foothold in the low-budget travel market.