The successful strike by employees of China Airlines last month has encouraged unions across the nation to up the ante in the fight for labor rights. Su Ying-jung (蘇盈蓉), director of the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union, told The News Lens International in an interview that the group’s recent industrial action was the first successful strike held by an independent labor union in Taiwan's history…Su says that while there was criticism from passengers during the strike, the media played an important role in drawing attention to the group’s concerns.“How public opinion reacts is the key to success,” she says…Su adds that because some of the China Airlines Employees Union directors are company-appointed, members believe the directors have tended to be more aligned with the interests of the company than union members…

Chang Feng-yi (張烽益), director of the Labor and Social Policy Association at the Taiwan Labor Front (TLF), tells TNLI that it is never easy to start a strike, and labor groups will not call one unless it is necessary. However, he is optimistic that the China Airlines’ strike will encourage other unions…