Is making noise the only way to get rewarded? China Airlines’ labor union decides next week on a mass strike to fight for workers’ rights

▲ The flight attendants’ union demands a strike and exclusive seven benefits, angering other staff who seek equal rights. (Photo / Reporter Zhou Chen-geng)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

China Airlines’ labor union is demanding equal benefits with the Taoyuan Flight Attendants’ Union, arguing that both flight attendants and ground staff work hard. They express strong dissatisfaction with the management’s preferential treatment of striking flight attendants, which has led to public perception that only those who make noise get rewarded, while hardworking staff are treated as fools. If the company does not offer equal treatment, they will lead ten thousand employees in a strike to fight for their rightful benefits. They also emphasize that if a strike occurs in the future, a seven-day notice will be given to minimize impact on passengers.

In response, China Airlines stated that it respects the opinions expressed by various unions but urges them to consider passenger rights. The airline will continue to communicate with the labor union and listen to employee voices, hoping to resolve the crisis soon.

Statement from China Airlines Labor Union

Regarding the company’s new management team led by Chairman He qVxuan, who fully agreed to the seven strike demands put forward by the Flight Attendants’ Union, the labor union expresses respect.

However, the new management team made the decision to accept the union’s demands without consulting the labor union, focusing solely on ending the strike while ignoring the rights and voices of nearly ten thousand other employees, which the labor union strongly opposes.

The labor union believes that both flight attendants and ground staff work hard, and striving for better working conditions has always been the union’s long-term goal. But this time the management blatantly favors striking flight attendants, leaving over 8,000 ground staff feeling deeply wronged and sparking strong backlash. It also gives the public the impression that only those who make noise get rewarded, while hardworking staff are treated as fools.

To express their dissatisfaction, the labor union hereby issues a solemn statement demanding the company:

1. All China Airlines employees should receive the same benefits as agreed in the seven strike demands, not just exclusive to union members.

2. Next Monday (27th), the China Airlines Labor Union will hold an interim executive board meeting and demand equal treatment from the company. If the company disagrees, the labor union will lead nearly ten thousand members from six major branches in a similar strike action, taking to the streets to fight for all employees’ rights.

3. If the labor union ever makes a strike demand in the future, it will never take a surprise approach and will definitely give a seven-day notice in consideration of passenger rights.