Substantial pay deal secured for Cathay Pacific cabin crew
October 8, 2024
Unite has secured a “great pay deal” for Cathay Pacific crew based out of London Heathrow.
More than 300 Cathay Pacific cabin crew based at the UK capital’s primary air transport hub will benefit from a two-year pay deal negotiated by trade union, Unite.
The deal includes an 8% salary increase in 2025, followed by a 3% rise in 2026. An additional increase in flight pay will also see a boost, with a 10% increase in 2025 and an additional 3% in 2026.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary described the negotiation as a “great pay deal for the workers at Cathay Pacific.”
The deal, which was negotiated on behalf of the crew, underpins the value of union membership, said Graham, as she revealed the deal was overwhelmingly accepted by members in a ballot.
Unite regional officer, Joe McGowan, added: “Our members do incredibly demanding jobs and have responsibility for the safety of hundreds of passengers on every flight. This pay award is nothing less than they deserve.”
Special appreciation reward
The negotiations for the pay deal for London-based crew come one year after Cathay Pacific, which operates flights across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Far-East Asia and Australia, announced a “special appreciation reward for employees” in July 2023. The reward was in recognition of the “extreme circumstances” the airline faced during the pandemic, “which were unlike anything any other carrier experienced,” according to Cathay’s CEO, Ronald Lam.
Speaking at the time, Lam said: “It has always been our culture to thank our people for the commitment and support they have shown. To this end, I am pleased to announce a Special Appreciation Reward for those who have been with us through the pandemic of up to six weeks of eligible pay, which will be paid in the September payroll.”
