Unionized employees at Cathay Pacific Airways are among more than 20,000 staff members at four aviation-related companies who will enjoy an average pay rise of 4.5 percent in 2008.

Cathay, which employs more than 11,400 people in Hong Kong, will pay its workers an average of at least 5 percent more in the coming year, said Yip Wai-ming, an officer with the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions.

Cathay employees who are paid on a monthly basis will see their salaries boosted from January 1, but those paid hourly have to wait until April 1.

Staff at Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering will get pay rises averaging about 6 to 6.5 percent, Yip said.

Employees whose current monthly salaries are HK$5,000 to HK$6,000 will see increases of 4 to 8 percent, while staff at the top end of their pay scale stand to get 1.5 to 1.7 percent.

Wages of cleaners at HAECO will rise the most, with full-time workers receiving a 7 percent hike and part-time workers getting 4 percent.

HAECO employed about 4,400 staff as at the end of June, the company said in its interim report.

Meanwhile, in the air-cargo sector, 2,400 employees at Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals will receive an average pay rise of 4.5 percent, with increases ranging up to 7 percent, said Cheng Tsz-keung, executive committee member of the union that represents Hactl staff.

Hactl workers are also in line for generous bonuses, comprising one-month extra pay in January, followed by a further 1.75 to 2 months pay in April.

The overtime subsidy will rise by HK$2 per hour.

At Hong Kong Airport Services, the largest ramp-handling company at Hong Kong International Airport, some 1,970 ground staff will receive a 4.5 percent average pay rise next year.

This is 0.9 percentage point higher than the previous year, said Cheng Tun- yan, chairman of the Staffs & Workers Union of Hong Kong Civil Airlines (HAS) branch.

HAS employees will also receive a bonus of 1 months pay in January.

Cathay Pacific and its Flight Attendants' Union were in dispute over a proposed medical scheme, with the union threatening to start industrial action during the peak holiday season if the airline proceeded with the plan.

However, Cathay agreed to delay the proposal for flight attendants and their families to pay for medical consultations until May 1 instead of January 1.

Consultation fees for the first 10 doctor visits will be waived until the end of 2008.