Cathay Pacific crews threaten no-smile, no-booze strike
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Cathay Pacific flight attendants stage a protest over pay rise at the international airport in Hong Kong on Dec 3, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
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In this file picture taken on Dec 3, 2012 Cathay Pacific flight attendants stage a protest over pay rise at the international airport in Hong Kong. A union representing flight attendants of Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific said on Dec 11, 2012 it is mulling to stop serving alcoholic beverages and not smiling at passengers as a dispute over pay rise escalates. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A Cathay Pacific flight attendant stands next to a placard as she and others stage a protest at the international airport in Hong Kong on Dec 3, 2012. The employees of the Hong Kong flag carrier staged the protest to voice their discontent at the company's decision of an average 2 per cent pay rise for Hong Kong ground staff and cabin crew, claiming it was less than the average 5 per cent rise and below current inflation levels. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Cathay Pacific flight attendants stand stage a protest at the international airport in Hong Kong on Dec 3, 2012. The employees of the Hong Kong flag carrier staged the protest to voice their discontent at the company's decision of an average 2 per cent pay rise for Hong Kong ground staff and cabin crew, claiming it was less than the average 5 per cent rise and below current inflation levels. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Cathay Pacific flight attendants stage a protest at the international airport in Hong Kong on Dec 3, 2012. The employees of the Hong Kong flag carrier staged the protest to voice their discontent at the company's decision of an average 2 per cent pay rise for Hong Kong ground staff and cabin crew, claiming it was less than the average 5 per cent rise and below current inflation levels. -- PHOTO: AFP
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File photo of Cathay Pacific Airways jets sit on the runway at Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport dated Friday, Oct 17, 2003 as another takes off in the background. Cathay Pacific flight crews may stop serving alcohol and smiling at passengers after voting in favour of industrial action during the Christmas holidays over a salary dispute, their union said on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
Cathay Pacific flight attendants stage a protest over pay rise at the international airport in Hong Kong on Dec 3, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
In this file picture taken on Dec 3, 2012 Cathay Pacific flight attendants stage a protest over pay rise at the international airport in Hong Kong. A union representing flight attendants of Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific said on Dec 11, 2012 it is mulling to stop serving alcoholic beverages and not smiling at passengers as a dispute over pay rise escalates. -- PHOTO: AFP
A Cathay Pacific flight attendant stands next to a placard as she and others stage a protest at the international airport in Hong Kong on Dec 3, 2012. The employees of the Hong Kong flag carrier staged the protest to voice their discontent at the company's decision of an average 2 per cent pay rise for Hong Kong ground staff and cabin crew, claiming it was less than the average 5 per cent rise and below current inflation levels. -- PHOTO: AFP
Cathay Pacific flight attendants stand stage a protest at the international airport in Hong Kong on Dec 3, 2012. The employees of the Hong Kong flag carrier staged the protest to voice their discontent at the company's decision of an average 2 per cent pay rise for Hong Kong ground staff and cabin crew, claiming it was less than the average 5 per cent rise and below current inflation levels. -- PHOTO: AFP
Cathay Pacific flight attendants stage a protest at the international airport in Hong Kong on Dec 3, 2012. The employees of the Hong Kong flag carrier staged the protest to voice their discontent at the company's decision of an average 2 per cent pay rise for Hong Kong ground staff and cabin crew, claiming it was less than the average 5 per cent rise and below current inflation levels. -- PHOTO: AFP
File photo of Cathay Pacific Airways jets sit on the runway at Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport dated Friday, Oct 17, 2003 as another takes off in the background. Cathay Pacific flight crews may stop serving alcohol and smiling at passengers after voting in favour of industrial action during the Christmas holidays over a salary dispute, their union said on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
HONG KONG (AFP) - Cathay Pacific flight crews may stop serving alcohol and smiling at passengers after voting in favour of industrial action during the Christmas holidays over a salary dispute, their union said on Tuesday.
The Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants Union, which is demanding a five per cent salary increase from Hong Kong's flagship carrier, said the "work-to-rule" measures could also throw flight schedules into chaos.
"We will be selective in providing our services," union general secretary Tsang Kwok-fung told AFP, adding that the form and date of the action approved in Monday's vote is yet to be decided.
"This could include not smiling at passengers, not providing certain types of beverages - such as alcohol - or stop serving meals," he said.
