HK airport strike hits festive period

HONG Kong Airport was hit by a three-hour strike by ground workers between Christmas and New Year. Management of Hong Kong Airport Services had cut the workers’ annual and Chinese New Year bonuses, equivalent to nearly a month’s pay.

Union representatives said that workers needed the bonuses as they are only paid US$900 a month and were not warned of the imminent cuts.

“The company has made a profit this year despite the financial crisis. It is unfair for it to cut our bonus simply because of its concerns about what could happen to the company next year,” said Man Ng of the Staff and Workers Union of Hong Kong Civil Airlines.

Talks resumed on 5 and 6 January and the dispute settled for the time being.

Hong Kong International Airport handled 3.74 million tonnes of cargo in 2007.