Cathay is poised to lengthen its retirement age from 55 to 60 in the coming years, as a proposal won majority support in an internal ballot, reported SCMP. 55% voted to raise the retirement age.
This comes after different departments within the airline had varying retirement ages. The company must now fashion a deal with its labour unions so that its financial position is enhanced and staff get a positive outcome.
However, a spokesperson for the airline commented, “It is clear that different views exist among our people. We are sensitive to the fact that some of our people will view the outcome less positively.” Cabin crew found the result encouraging despite the narrow margin of support, according to Vera Wu Yee-mei, Chairwoman, Cathay Pacific Flight Attendants’ Union who also noted that 81% of those who voted supported the proposal.
A concern raised by some younger cabin crew was that their promotion opportunities may be worse with a higher retirement age. Wu rebutted, “The survey is bound to generate different opinions, but the bigger issue is we have to stop age discrimination against cabin crew at the company.”
The vote enables cabin crew to push for the extended retirement age, with the company looking to finalise details in 2018.
Several Hong Kong-based airlines offer earlier retirement than Cathay Pacific, with attendants of Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways and Cathay Dragon being able to retire at 45. Cabin crew of many other major Asian airlines can still work to 60 and even beyond.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
