2016 China Airlines flight attendants' strike

July 2026 The 2016 China Airlines flight attendants strike refers to a labor strike launched in June 2016 by the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union in the Republic of China (Taiwan), targeting the cabin crew department of China Airlines. After obtaining the legal right to strike, the union announced the strike would begin at midnight on June 24, 2016, with members ceasing to provide labor services. The strike lasted for three days, with operations resuming in the early morning of June 27. However, a consensus between labor and management was reached as early as June 24, making it a successful case of labor action. It was also the second large-scale strike in Taiwan since the Taiwan Railways Administration engineers' strike on May 1, 1988.2016-06-26 噩夢成真 華航大罷工 2萬旅客遭殃 67航班今停飛 蘋果日報 Nightmare comes true: China Airlines strikes, 20,000 passengers affected, 67 flights grounded today http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/headline/20160624/37281990/%E5%99%A9%E5%A4%A2%E6%88%90%E7%9C%9F%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E5%A4%A7%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A52%E8%90%AC%E6%97%85%E5%AE%A2%E9%81%AD%E6%AE%8367%E8%88%AA%E7%8F%AD%E4%BB%8A%E5%81%9C%E9%A3%9B 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160626110156/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/headline/20160624/37281990/%E5%99%A9%E5%A4%A2%E6%88%90%E7%9C%9F%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E5%A4%A7%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A52%E8%90%AC%E6%97%85%E5%AE%A2%E9%81%AD%E6%AE%8367%E8%88%AA%E7%8F%AD%E4%BB%8A%E5%81%9C%E9%A3%9B 26 June 2016 2016-06-26 快訊：華航空服員罷工凌晨開始！ 焦點事件 Breaking News: China Airlines flight attendants' strike begins at midnight! Focus Events http://www.eventsinfocus.org/news/770 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160626160952/http://www.eventsinfocus.org/news/770 26 June 2016 2016-06-23 【罷工現場】華航空服罷工行動 洪秀柱到場表關切 即時新聞 20160624 蘋果日報 【Strike scene】China Airlines crew strike action, Hung Hsiu-chu showed up to express her concern http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160624/892921/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160623181957/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160624/892921/ 23 June 2016 This event was the first ever strike by flight attendants in the Republic of China. It was also the second instance in Taiwan's aviation history where aviation employees obtained the legal right to strike, following the 2015 efforts by the Taoyuan Pilots Union. These legal rights were made possible by amendments to Taiwan's "three labor laws" in 2011. However, since the pilots union ultimately did not launch a strike, the 2016 strike marked the first instance where legally sanctioned strike rights were both obtained and exercised.2016-06-24 史上首例空服員罷工 華航發千字聲明 財經 即時 聯合新聞網 China Airlines issues 1,000-word statement in first flight attendant strike http://udn.com/news/story/6/1777465 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160624033155/http://udn.com/news/story/6/1777465 24 June 2016 2016-09-20 張烽益／工會運動新出路──華航罷工的弦外之音 - 報導者 A new way out for the union movement: the hidden message behind the China Airlines strike https://www.twreporter.org/a/china-airlines-strike 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160920210302/https://www.twreporter.org/a/china-airlines-strike 20 September 2016 Chi Zou 2016-06-22 罷工成定局 空服員：擺出上對下姿態的華航要負最大責任 Strikes are inevitable. Flight attendants: China Airlines should bear the greatest responsibility for its superior attitude https://www.thenewslens.com/feature/chinaairline-strike/42560 2025-05-06 TNL The News Lens 關鍵評論網 zh-Hant-TW Background China Airlines is the national carrier of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Even after privatization, the government has retained significant control over the company. Due to recurring disputes over issues like crew rest times and wages, China Airlines has experienced several labor-management conflicts in the past.2016-06-24 航空雙雄兩樣情 長榮樂獲獎、華航憂罷工 產經 聯合新聞網 Two airline giants, different feelings: EVA Air is happy to receive awards, China Airlines is worried about strike http://udn.com/news/story/7241/1763736 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160624030758/http://udn.com/news/story/7241/1763736 24 June 2016 李牧宜 2016-05-31 發動大遊行拒奴工條款，華航空服員凌晨苦站12小時抗議：大家飛機上工作更苦 China Airlines flight attendants stand for 12 hours in protest against slave labor clauses: Working on airplanes is harder for everyone https://www.thenewslens.com/article/40894 2025-05-06 TNL The News Lens 關鍵評論網 zh-Hant-TW After the launch of cross-strait charter in 2008 and the signing of a new aviation agreement between Taiwan and Japan in October 2011, flight frequencies rapidly increased. Additionally, the rise of low-cost carriers led to a surge in overnight "red-eye" flights. Traditional carriers, trying to stay competitive, also began adding more red-eye routes, significantly disrupting the biological clocks of Flight attendant. Meanwhile, surging global oil prices made profitability difficult for airlines, prompting executives to cut costs wherever possible. As a result, working conditions deteriorated, leave became scarcer, and wages were reduced.2016-07-19 是什麼原因引爆台灣華航史上最大罷工？ 端傳媒 Initium Media What caused the largest strike in the history of Taiwan's China Airlines? https://theinitium.com/article/20160624-taiwan-china-airlines-strike/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160719201658/https://theinitium.com/article/20160624-taiwan-china-airlines-strike/ 19 July 2016 2016-06-25 華航罷工的導火線：紅眼航班 The trigger for the China Airlines strike: red-eye flights http://news.knowing.asia/news/9a3d402b-f334-4ec2-9f92-6f1a4af98f09 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160625035001/http://news.knowing.asia/news/9a3d402b-f334-4ec2-9f92-6f1a4af98f09 25 June 2016 According to Taiwan's Trade Union Act, only one union is allowed per enterprise. If a company union is controlled by management, the union's ability to represent workers is weakened. This was the case with China Airlines' own union. Although in 2013, labor representatives gained control over the union's third chapter (primarily composed of flight attendants), and participated in several protest actions, the chapter was not recognized by management as a valid negotiation counterpart. To obtain legal rights to labor disputes, the chapter was restructured in November 2015 into the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union.懶人時報 2016-06-21 懶人時報看什麼？華航工會是什麼 報給你知、華航憂罷工 長榮樂獲獎？義大犀牛不玩了 職棒與電視共生或共滅？ What do you read in the Lazy Times? What is the China Airlines Workers' Union? Report to you, China Airlines is worried about strikes. Is EVA Air happy to win awards? E-DA Rhinos are no longer playing. Will professional baseball and television coexist or perish together? https://www.thenewslens.com/article/42464 2025-05-06 TNL The News Lens 關鍵評論網 zh-Hant-TW2014-09-26 空服員有話好說？誰敢！ 不認工會幹部 華航揚言告公視 Flight attendants have something to say? Who dares!China Airlines denies union leaders and sues PTS https://www.coolloud.org.tw/node/80222 https://web.archive.org/web/20250114140847/http://www.coolloud.org.tw/node/80222 2025-01-14 2025-05-06 苦勞網 zh-hant2016-06-10 對付罷工 華航解僱修護工會幹部 China Airlines fires maintenance workers union officials in response to strike https://www.eventsinfocus.org/news/719 2025-05-06 焦點事件 zh-hant On May 5, 2016, China Airlines announced, in accordance with its internal policies, that starting from June 1, flight attendants' check-in location would be changed from Songshan District in Taipei City to the company's headquarters in Taoyuan City. At the same time, the company unilaterally required flight attendants to sign a responsibility agreement based on Article 84-1 of the Labor Standards Act. However, this move would result in reduced rest time between assignments for the flight attendants. Under the responsibility system, flight attendants were also expected to use their own time to complete tasks that were previously counted as working hours. As a result, the implementation of the new system made flight duties more exhausting due to insufficient rest time.2016-06-21 空服員上街抗議變更報到地點 華航這樣說 Flight attendants took to the streets to protest the change in check-in location. This is what China Airlines said http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160513/860403 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160621182707/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160513/860403 21 June 2016 2016-06-15 華航高雄場罷工 5成空服員現身投票 China Airlines strikes in Kaohsiung; 50% of flight attendants show up to vote http://udn.com/news/story/6/1754182 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160615235422/http://udn.com/news/story/6/1754182 15 June 2016 Pre-strike negotiations On the morning of May 13, at 10:00 AM, more than 150 flight attendants organized by the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union protested in front of the Ministry of Labor, opposing China Airlines' changes to working conditions. Protesters accused the company of exploiting Article 84-1 of the Labor Standards Act to circumvent labor protections and demanded a return to standard labor conditions. The union also displayed over 1,000 authorization forms signed by China Airlines flight attendants and consent forms required by the company for the new policy, demonstrating their readiness to launch a strike.2016-07-18 華航空服抗議超時 反對責任制迫害 China Airlines flight attendants protest overtime, oppose persecution by accountability system http://www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/201605130152-1.aspx 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160718121713/http://www.cna.com.tw/news/asoc/201605130152-1.aspx 18 July 2016 In response, the Ministry of Labor urged both sides to communicate sincerely and in good faith without violating labor laws. China Airlines expressed a willingness to examine the issues and make adjustments.2016-06-16 華航上百空姐怒吼：勞基法責任制殘害空服員！ Hundreds of China Airlines flight attendants roared: The Labor Law responsibility system is harming flight attendants! http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1695259 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160616232820/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1695259 16 June 2016 On May 20, during the early stages of the strike threat, China Airlines' General Manager Chang Yu-Hern submitted his resignation, which was not accepted by then Minister of Transportation and Communications, Hochen Tan.2016-06-24 張有恒：我早就辭了 不是被換掉的 Zhang Youheng: I quit a long time ago, I was not replaced http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/focus/paper/1004386 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160624233823/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/focus/paper/1004386 24 June 2016 On the afternoon of May 31, the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union joined forces with the Pilots Union, which was dissatisfied with accumulated leave days, and the China Airlines Maintenance Workers Union, which was demanding better working conditions. Together, over a thousand employees—including pilots, flight attendants, and maintenance workers—staged a large-scale protest. Beginning at 4:00 AM, three flight attendants—Luo Yongxiang, Hong Beidi, and Xie Yizhong—protested in front of China Airlines' Taipei branch by standing for 12 hours to highlight the physical toll of red-eye flights, especially on long routes such as Changchun, Phnom Penh, and Bangkok, where in-flight work could last up to 11–12 hours. The protest received support from some members of the public.2016-06-23 不滿華航欠假 800機師端午節發動集體休假 Unhappy with China Airlines's lack of leave, 800 pilots take a collective holiday during Dragon Boat Festival http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1701925 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160623061437/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1701925 23 June 2016 2016-06-17 華航修護員 也要上街控血汗 China Airlines maintenance workers also take to the streets to protest against blood and sweat http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/headline/20160529/37241465/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160617201839/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/headline/20160529/37241465/ 17 June 2016 That same morning, General Manager Chang Yu-Hern issued a five-point statement, acknowledging shortcomings in communication but denying that the policy changes had affected working hours or workers' rights. He also suggested submitting the dispute to arbitration to prevent further social unrest.2016-06-02 勞資糾紛 華航：交付仲裁 目前最好途徑 Labor dispute China Airlines: Arbitration is currently the best way http://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20160601000952-260202 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160602011912/http://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20160601000952-260202 2 June 2016 Despite Chang's appeal for employees to remain at their posts, the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union announced plans for a collective leave action on June 9, the Dragon Boat Festival. The Pilots Union also declared that 800 union members would take leave on the same day. In response, Chang stated that 20 employees who had recently transitioned from flight attendant roles to ground positions would be reassigned to fill the staffing gap.2016-07-06 空服員揚言端午集體休假 華航：由地勤接替 Flight attendants say they will take a collective holiday during Dragon Boat Festival; China Airlines: Ground staff will take over http://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20160531003210-260405 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160706103438/http://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20160531003210-260405 6 July 2016 Following these protests and the union's threat of a strike, China Airlines retaliated by dismissing key members of the Maintenance Workers Union, including Liu Huizong and Zhu Meixue. This move drew criticism from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Tuan Yi-kang.2016-06-18 華航好棒棒！ 2抗議幹部要被解聘 China Airlines is awesome! 2 protest officers are about to be fired http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160614/885119/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160618042634/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160614/885119/ 18 June 2016 2016-06-11 華航員工上街抗議 綠委爆：工會幹部被處分 China Airlines employees took to the streets to protest, Green Party legislators revealed: Union officials were punished http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1723955 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160611142401/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1723955 11 June 2016 On June 13, China Airlines requested the Taoyuan City Government to initiate compulsory arbitration. However, Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan urged the airline to proactively communicate and negotiate with the union to resolve the conflict. The city's Labor Bureau also noted that compulsory arbitration would prevent the union from holding a strike vote, thereby infringing upon workers' right to strike. Moreover, unlike voluntary arbitration, compulsory arbitration is not binding, and if the union rejected the outcome, further mediation would be required—potentially leading to an endless loop.2016-06-16 華航空服員勞資爭議 華航要求仲裁被桃市府拒絕 China Airlines flight attendant labor dispute: Taoyuan City Government rejects China Airlines' request for arbitration http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1728555 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160616022231/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1728555 16 June 2016 Response from the chairman China Airlines Chairman Sun Hung-Hsiang stated that since all other China Airlines employees reported for duty at the Taoyuan Airport, agreeing to the union's demand for Taipei check-ins would be unfair. Regarding the union's demand to raise overseas per diem allowances for flight attendants, Sun said that China Airlines had already agreed to increase the rate from USD 2 per hour to USD 3, which was higher than the industry average. However, the union insisted on USD 5 per hour, which he argued would place a significant financial burden on the company's future operations.2016-06-26 華航董事長孫洪祥卸任前 寫給員工的公開信 China Airlines Chairman Sun Hongxiang wrote an open letter to employees before resigning http://udn.com/news/story/1/1783763-%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E8%91%A3%E4%BA%8B%E9%95%B7%E5%AD%AB%E6%B4%AA%E7%A5%A5%E5%8D%B8%E4%BB%BB%E5%89%8D-%E5%AF%AB%E7%B5%A6%E5%93%A1%E5%B7%A5%E7%9A%84%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B%E4%BF%A1 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160626001430/http://udn.com/news/story/1/1783763-%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E8%91%A3%E4%BA%8B%E9%95%B7%E5%AD%AB%E6%B4%AA%E7%A5%A5%E5%8D%B8%E4%BB%BB%E5%89%8D-%E5%AF%AB%E7%B5%A6%E5%93%A1%E5%B7%A5%E7%9A%84%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B%E4%BF%A1 26 June 2016 2016-06-27 孫洪祥卸任華航董座 堅持原則到最後 Sun Hongxiang resigns as China Airlines chairman, sticking to principles until the end http://www.cna.com.tw/news/ahel/201606240070-1.aspx 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160627063610/http://www.cna.com.tw/news/ahel/201606240070-1.aspx 27 June 2016 Strike vote Although the May 31 demonstration garnered significant support from employees, China Airlines insisted on enforcing the new check-in policy and did not respond positively to the demands. After negotiations between the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union and China Airlines failed, the union decided to initiate the strike procedure for flight attendants employed by China Airlines. On June 10, the union conducted a strike vote limited to 2,638 union members working as flight attendants for China Airlines, setting up voting stations in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taoyuan. A 70% approval threshold for the strike was also established during an ad hoc union delegate meeting. The vote received strong support from China Airlines' flight attendants. The Taoyuan City Government's Labor Department stated that it would not proceed with mandatory arbitration, and Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan also emphasized the importance of equal negotiations between labor and management, noting that there was no precedent for compulsory arbitration in Taiwan, and even arbitration requires further labor-management negotiations.2016-06-22 批空服員罷工 華航企業工會遭轟御用工會 Criticizing flight attendants for strike, China Airlines's corporate union is accused of being a "private union" http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1735523 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160622075157/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1735523 22 June 2016 2016-07-08 說到做到 華航空服員啟動罷工程序 China Airlines flight attendants start strike process http://www.eventsinfocus.org/news/675 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160708125658/http://www.eventsinfocus.org/news/675 8 July 2016 2016-06-26 華航勞資爭議 桃市將不予交付仲裁 China Airlines labor dispute: Taoyuan City will not submit to arbitration http://www.nownews.com/n/2016/06/21/2141792 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160626182803/http://www.nownews.com/n/2016/06/21/2141792 26 June 2016 In response to the strike vote, the China Airlines Enterprise Union held a press conference in Taipei on June 20, criticizing the strike as being led by a union external to China Airlines and alleging external manipulation of the movement. They also called for job stability and protection of workers' rights. However, these statements drew criticism from the Taoyuan Confederation of Trade Unions, which accused the enterprise union of acting as a "company-controlled union," claiming that it no longer represented grassroots employees and that pilots, maintenance staff, and flight attendants had to establish separate unions. During the strike, members of the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union were not required to report to work, and China Airlines, as the employer, was not obligated to pay them.2016-06-24 空服員職業工會推罷工 華航企業工會斥：不合理 The Flight Attendants Union proposes a strike; China Airlines Workers Union denounces it as unreasonable http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160620/889637 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160624074131/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160620/889637 24 June 2016 2016-06-22 華航工會要安定 批空服罷工遭外界操弄[影] China Airlines Workers' Union demands stability, criticizes flight attendants' strike for being manipulated by outside forces [Video] http://www.cna.com.tw/news/ahel/201606200283-1.aspx 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160622221405/http://www.cna.com.tw/news/ahel/201606200283-1.aspx 22 June 2016 2016-08-15 華航企業工會反對空服員罷工 挨批「御用工會」早已無法代表基層 China Airlines' Workers' Union opposes flight attendants' strike, criticizing "official union" for failing to represent grassroots workers http://www.thenewslens.com/article/42391?google_editors_picks=true 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160815195455/http://www.thenewslens.com/article/42391?google_editors_picks=true 15 August 2016 2016-06-21 罷工期間 工會會員可不到班、但僱主可不給薪 During a strike, union members can be absent from work, but employers can withhold wages http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160621/891069/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160621160637/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160621/891069/ 21 June 2016 Strike vote passed On the evening of June 21, the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union began counting the votes. The result showed 2,535 in favor of striking, 9 against, and 3 invalid ballots—an approval rate of over 99.5%, far exceeding the 70% threshold. The union thus announced it had obtained the legal right to strike and would officially launch the action during the summer vacation, planning another protest by the end of June. In response, both the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China said they would actively mediate and encourage ongoing negotiations. The Ministry of Labor expressed respect for the union's actions, while the Ministry of Transportation urged the union to make some concessions.2016-06-22 華航罷工投票進行中 開出千張票僅1張反對票 China Airlines strike vote in progress: 1,000 votes cast, only 1 against http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1737262 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160622141521/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1737262 22 June 2016 2016-08-15 華航罷工投票超過99.5％同意 將於近日內展開罷工 China Airlines strike vote exceeds 99.5% approval, will start strike in the near future http://www.thenewslens.com/article/42491?google_editors_picks=true 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160815183143/http://www.thenewslens.com/article/42491?google_editors_picks=true 15 August 2016 2016-06-22 罷工期間將敲定 華航空服員月底再上街 China Airlines flight attendants to take to the streets again at the end of the month http://udn.com/news/story/9945/1778851 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160622121847/http://udn.com/news/story/9945/1778851 22 June 2016 Following the union's acquisition of strike rights, China Airlines issued a statement saying it would not abandon communication and was drafting alternative plans to deal with the strike. The Consumers' Foundation stated that China Airlines must adapt without compromising passenger safety. On the morning of June 22, China Airlines General Manager Chang Yu-heng expressed regret over the union's unwillingness to communicate and stated that the company was willing to negotiate sincerely, hoping the union would not proceed with the strike. China Airlines also questioned the discrepancy between the number of people who voted and the figures announced by the union and said it had prepared over 600 backup personnel and contingency plans. These included adjusting flight schedules, changing aircraft, and requesting other airlines to assist with passenger transfers to minimize disruption.2016-06-21 華航罷工投票已逾7成同意門檻 暑假擇日罷工 China Airlines strike vote reaches 70% approval threshold; strike to be held during summer vacation http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1737273 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160621160613/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1737273 21 June 2016 2016-06-22 空服員罷工 華航：投票人數和工會宣布有差距 Flight attendants strike: China Airlines: There is a gap between the number of voters and the union's announcement http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160622/891339/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160622115912/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160622/891339/ 22 June 2016 2016-06-23 空服員罷工 華航稱備妥600名後援人力 Flight attendants go on strike, China Airlines says it has 600 backup personnel http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1737623 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160623165324/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1737623 23 June 2016 That same morning, more than 20 members of the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union held a press conference at the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), titled "Does the CAA Care That China Airlines Ignores Flight Safety?" A scuffle briefly broke out. The union questioned the CAA's handling of aviation safety during the strike and criticized its lack of action against China Airlines for ignoring labor rights. Regarding China Airlines' plan to recall retired flight attendants after only four days of training, the CAA stated that former staff must undergo adequate retraining or face penalties.2016-06-23 疑放水退役空服員回華航補位 空服員工會衝撞民航局 Suspected of letting retired flight attendants return to China Airlines to fill positions, flight attendant employee union will clash with the Civil Aviation Administration http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1737719 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160623161527/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1737719 23 June 2016 2016-06-26 走上罷工這條路 空服員工會：華航須負最大責任 Taking the road of strike, the Flight Attendants Union: China Airlines must bear the greatest responsibility http://www.nownews.com/n/2016/06/22/2143082 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160626185545/http://www.nownews.com/n/2016/06/22/2143082 26 June 2016 2016-06-22 華航找離職空姐回鍋？民航局：受訓不足將開罰 China Airlines looking for former flight attendants to return? Civil Aviation Administration: Insufficient training will result in fines http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160622/891464/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160622121336/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160622/891464/ 22 June 2016 Strike begins On June 23, the Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union announced that its members employed by China Airlines would begin a strike at midnight on June 24. At 11 p.m. that night, General Manager Chang Yu-heng, in a video conference, announced that all China Airlines flights departing from Taoyuan and Songshan airports between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. on June 24 would be canceled, except for the presidential flight. Flights from Tainan and Kaohsiung would operate normally. A total of 67 flights were canceled, affecting over 20,000 passengers.2016-06-23 華航空服員 24日0時起開始罷工 China Airlines flight attendants began to strike at 0:00 on the 24th http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1739511 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160623123127/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1739511 23 June 2016 2016-06-23 華航24日6點到22點 桃園、松山航班全面停飛 China Airlines will suspend all flights to Taoyuan and Songshan from 6:00 to 22:00 on the 24th. http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1739874 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160623173057/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1739874 23 June 2016 To assist affected travelers, China Airlines stated it would help them transfer to other flights and would issue $100 vouchers, encouraging passengers to contact customer service.2016-06-23 華航補償旅客 百美元抵用券 China Airlines compensates passengers with $100 vouchers http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/headline/20160624/37282017/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160623205202/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/headline/20160624/37282017/ 23 June 2016 On the morning of June 24, Ho Nuan-hsuan became the new chairman of China Airlines. He stated he agreed to the union's condition to revert check-ins to Songshan Airport, restoring the terms from June 1, allowing negotiations to begin. At 2 p.m., Ho personally visited the strike site and agreed to all demands regarding check-in location, with flexibility on the remaining six demands. He assured that negotiations would be formalized in writing and that no retaliation would occur afterward. However, his remarks triggered dissatisfaction from flight attendants present, who shouted, "No result, no end!" and insisted that all six demands must be met or the protest would continue.2016-06-25 華航新董座下午赴罷工現場 改回松山報到 China Airlines' new chairman will go to the strike site this afternoon and report back to Songshan http://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/201606245006-1.aspx 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160625133542/http://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/201606245006-1.aspx 25 June 2016 2016-08-12 「絕不秋後算帳」何煖軒同意空服員回松山報到 "No later settlement" Ho Xuan-xuan agrees to allow flight attendants to report back to Songshan https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E6%96%B0%E8%91%A3%E5%BA%A7%E4%BD%95%E7%85%96%E8%BB%92%E8%B5%B4%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A5%E7%8F%BE%E5%A0%B4--%E5%85%81%E3%80%8C%E6%9C%83%E8%AE%93%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%B6%E6%BB%BF%E6%84%8F%E3%80%8D-063609878.html 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160812205013/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E6%96%B0%E8%91%A3%E5%BA%A7%E4%BD%95%E7%85%96%E8%BB%92%E8%B5%B4%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A5%E7%8F%BE%E5%A0%B4--%E5%85%81%E3%80%8C%E6%9C%83%E8%AE%93%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%B6%E6%BB%BF%E6%84%8F%E3%80%8D-063609878.html 12 August 2016 2016-08-12 7大訴求僅1項獲回應 華航空服員嗆新董座：沒有結果 沒有停止 Only one of the seven demands was responded to. China Airlines flight attendants scolded the new chairman: No results, no cessation https://tw.news.yahoo.com/7%E5%A4%A7%E8%A8%B4%E6%B1%82%E5%83%851%E9%A0%85%E7%8D%B2%E5%9B%9E%E6%87%89-%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E6%9C%8D%E5%93%A1%E5%97%86%E6%96%B0%E8%91%A3%E5%BA%A7-%E6%B2%92%E6%9C%89%E7%B5%90%E6%9E%9C-%E6%B2%92%E6%9C%89%E5%81%9C%E6%AD%A2-075600325.html 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160812223545/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/7%E5%A4%A7%E8%A8%B4%E6%B1%82%E5%83%851%E9%A0%85%E7%8D%B2%E5%9B%9E%E6%87%89-%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E6%9C%8D%E5%93%A1%E5%97%86%E6%96%B0%E8%91%A3%E5%BA%A7-%E6%B2%92%E6%9C%89%E7%B5%90%E6%9E%9C-%E6%B2%92%E6%9C%89%E5%81%9C%E6%AD%A2-075600325.html 12 August 2016 At 4 p.m., labor and management held negotiations at the Ministry of Labor, chaired by Minister Kuo Fang-yu, marking the first time a labor minister mediated such talks. Despite ongoing negotiations, the strike continued to impact operations. China Airlines announced the cancellation of two more flights after 10 p.m. The union, citing heavy rain, kept 100 members on-site while the rest returned home to wait for further instructions. That night, three more flights scheduled for June 25 were also canceled.2016-06-30 史上首次！為華航罷工 勞動部長主持勞資協商 First time in history! Strike for China Airlines, Labor Minister presides over labor-management negotiations http://udn.com/news/story/1/1784590 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160630203523/http://udn.com/news/story/1/1784590 30 June 2016 2016-06-27 停飛持續擴大！華航宣布：2200後取消2航班 The suspension continues to expand! China Airlines announced: canceling 2 flights after 2200 http://udn.com/news/story/1/1784629 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160627143153/http://udn.com/news/story/1/1784629 27 June 2016 2016-06-25 華航罷工16小時「正式談判」！空服回家中場休息再集結 China Airlines strikes for 16 hours, "official negotiation"! Flight attendants go home for halftime break and then regroup http://www.ettoday.net/news/20160624/722775.htm 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160625132457/http://www.ettoday.net/news/20160624/722775.htm 25 June 2016 2016-08-21 空服員罷工 華航明日取消3航班 Flight attendants strike; China Airlines cancels 3 flights tomorrow http://tw.on.cc/tw/bkn/cnt/news/20160624/bkntw-20160624210159014-0624_04011_001.html 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160821143210/http://tw.on.cc/tw/bkn/cnt/news/20160624/bkntw-20160624210159014-0624_04011_001.html 21 August 2016 Explanation at Songshan Airport In response to the June 23 cancellation of flights from Taoyuan and Songshan, the union spokesperson, Huang Hui-chen, criticized China Airlines for having enough personnel but deliberately inciting public anger and shifting the blame onto flight attendants. Therefore, on the morning of June 24, union members went to Songshan Airport to explain their reasons for striking and to seek public understanding.2017-03-29 華航罷工／華航空服員罷工11時至松山機場向旅客說明 China Airlines strike/China Airlines flight attendants went on strike at 11am and went to Songshan Airport to explain to passengers https://udn.com/news/story/1/1783349-%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E6%9C%8D%E5%93%A1%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A511%E6%99%82%E8%87%B3%E6%9D%BE%E5%B1%B1%E6%A9%9F%E5%A0%B4%E5%90%91%E6%97%85%E5%AE%A2%E8%AA%AA%E6%98%8E 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20170329020652/https://udn.com/news/story/1/1783349-%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E6%9C%8D%E5%93%A1%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A511%E6%99%82%E8%87%B3%E6%9D%BE%E5%B1%B1%E6%A9%9F%E5%A0%B4%E5%90%91%E6%97%85%E5%AE%A2%E8%AA%AA%E6%98%8E 29 March 2017 About 30 union members distributed flyers at the airport. While some passengers expressed support, others complained angrily about the inconvenience. Union Vice Chair Chang Shu-yuan emphasized that the real issue was management's refusal to negotiate, not the strike itself.2016-06-24 空服員工會赴機場說明 旅客有大罵有支持 Flight attendants will go to the airport to explain; some passengers are angry and some supportive http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160624/893289/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160624050625/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160624/893289/ 24 June 2016 Petition at DPP Headquarters The union also criticized the Tsai Ing-wen administration for failing to stop what they saw as a series of unfair actions by China Airlines. Around 100 union members gathered in front of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters, directing specific questions at Transportation Minister Ho Chen Tan, Premier Lin Chuan, and Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu. DPP Women's Department Director Tsai Wan-fen expressed support for the flight attendants' actions and pledged to convey their demands to the party leadership.2016-08-13 空服工會民黨踢館 揚言「不是最後一次」 The Cabin Crew Union's Democratic Party challenges the airline, saying "this won't be the last time" https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E7%A9%BA%E6%9C%8D%E5%B7%A5%E6%9C%83%E6%B0%91%E9%BB%A8%E8%B8%A2%E9%A4%A8-%E6%8F%9A%E8%A8%80-%E4%B8%8D%E6%98%AF%E6%9C%80%E5%BE%8C-%E6%AC%A1-114517568.html 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160813043718/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E7%A9%BA%E6%9C%8D%E5%B7%A5%E6%9C%83%E6%B0%91%E9%BB%A8%E8%B8%A2%E9%A4%A8-%E6%8F%9A%E8%A8%80-%E4%B8%8D%E6%98%AF%E6%9C%80%E5%BE%8C-%E6%AC%A1-114517568.html 13 August 2016 Negotiation results At 9 p.m. on June 24, after 4.5 hours of negotiation, Deputy Minister of Labor Kuo Kuo-wen announced that preliminary consensus had been reached on all seven union demands. However, the decision to end the strike was left to the union.2016-06-27 華航罷工成功！勞動部：7項訴求都達成共識 China Airlines strike is successful! Ministry of Labor: consensus reached on all 7 demands http://udn.com/news/story/1/1785092 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160627010346/http://udn.com/news/story/1/1785092 27 June 2016 Kuo stated that negotiations went relatively smoothly with only occasional raised voices. On the issue of check-in location, China Airlines agreed to revert to Songshan and to restore the 80 minutes of rest time previously cut. Regarding Article 84-1 of the Labor Standards Act (Republic of China) Labor Standards Act zh 勞動基準法 (中華民國), the union would first deliberate and then formally submit its consensus. The longest discussion involved overseas allowances, which once reached an impasse. Ho Nuan-hsuan described the process as "like negotiating with a knife to the throat." Eventually, China Airlines agreed to raise the allowance from $2 to $5 USD. This would be implemented in stages: $4 starting July 1, 2016, and $5 by May 1, 2017, applicable only to union members, with a "no freeloaders" rule.2016-06-29 華航勞資達協議 資方同意7訴求 China Airlines labor and management reach agreement, management agrees to 7 demands http://udn.com/news/story/1/1785101 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160629152736/http://udn.com/news/story/1/1785101 29 June 2016 2016-06-27 抱怨華航前高層 何煖軒：脖子架著刀去談判 Complaining about former China Airlines executives, Ho Xuan-hsuan: I went to the negotiation with a knife on my neck http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1742936 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160627034227/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1742936 27 June 2016 At 9:45 p.m., the union announced to members at the protest site that the strike was a success. Six demands were fully accepted, and the overseas allowance would be gradually increased. Regarding resuming work, the union explained that time was needed to return 1,700 passports and that many members were physically and mentally exhausted. They promised that flights departing after midnight on June 27 would operate normally. The protest blockade was lifted at 10:45 p.m.2016-06-25 工會宣布 27日起華航航班順利起飛 The union announced that China Airlines flights will take off smoothly from the 27th http://www2.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/201606245032-1.aspx 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160625142141/http://www2.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/201606245032-1.aspx 25 June 2016 2016-06-28 空服員工會夜間聲明：罷工成功　 Flight attendants union issued statement at night: strike was successful http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160624/893852/ 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160628171919/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160624/893852/ 28 June 20162016-06-24 華航空服員22:45撤除罷工線 27日0時復工 China Airlines flight attendants withdrew from the strike at 22:45 and returned to work at 0:00 on the 27th http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1741145 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160624200535/http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/1741145 24 June 2016 Impact and aftermath Due to mishandling of labor relations, China Airlines Chairman Sun Hung-hsiang and General Manager Chang Yu-heng were replaced by Ho Nuan-hsuan and Hsieh Shih-chien, respectively.2016-08-05 華航罷工 行政院怒撤孫洪祥、張有恒內情 China Airlines strike: Executive Yuan furiously dismisses Sun Hong-hsiang and Chang You-heng http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=2942422 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160805044817/http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=2942422 5 August 2016 The strike affected 266 tour groups and 5,261 individuals, either stranded abroad or unable to depart. The tourism industry estimated losses of NT$50 million and planned to seek compensation. More than 30,000 passengers in total were affected. Ground staff, bearing the brunt of customer complaints, also voiced grievances, with one staffer publicly criticizing management.2016-08-12 華航罷工截至中午4407人受影響 觀光局：比天災還嚴重 As of noon, 4,407 employees of China Airlines strike were affected. The Tourism Bureau said: It is more serious than a natural disaster. https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A5%E6%88%AA%E8%87%B3%E4%B8%AD%E5%8D%884407%E4%BA%BA%E5%8F%97%E5%BD%B1%E9%9F%BF-%E8%A7%80%E5%85%89%E5%B1%80-%E6%AF%94%E5%A4%A9%E7%81%BD%E9%82%84%E5%9A%B4%E9%87%8D-095000444.html 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160812211948/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A5%E6%88%AA%E8%87%B3%E4%B8%AD%E5%8D%884407%E4%BA%BA%E5%8F%97%E5%BD%B1%E9%9F%BF-%E8%A7%80%E5%85%89%E5%B1%80-%E6%AF%94%E5%A4%A9%E7%81%BD%E9%82%84%E5%9A%B4%E9%87%8D-095000444.html 12 August 2016 2016-06-25 266團、5261人受阻 將向華航求償-觀光局 266 groups, 5,261 people blocked, will seek compensation from China Airlines - Tourism Bureau http://www.storm.mg/article/134117 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160625130921/http://www.storm.mg/article/134117 25 June 2016 2016-06-26 華航帥哥地勤開轟：空服罷工期間沒配套，把我們當砲灰 China Airlines handsome ground staff blasted: No support provided during flight attendant strike, used us as cannon fodder http://www.ettoday.net/news/20160625/723156.htm 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160626131925/http://www.ettoday.net/news/20160625/723156.htm 26 June 2016 Due to the lenient fines under Taiwan's Labor Union Act, some union officials faced dismissal during the strike. In response, the New Power Party proposed increasing the maximum fine for union suppression to NT$1.5 million.2016-06-24 台聲援華航罷工 時力提案修法 打壓工會最高罰150萬 The Epoch Times Taiwan supports China Airlines strike; TSL proposes amendment to law to punish unions with fines up to NT$1.5 million http://www.epochtimes.com/b5/16/6/21/n8021070.htm 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160624232831/http://www.epochtimes.com/b5/16/6/21/n8021070.htm 24 June 2016 On June 25, the China Airlines Enterprise Union held a press conference, accusing the company of favoring flight attendants and ignoring the rights of other employees. They demanded equal benefits for all and threatened to launch a company-wide strike if their demands were not met, although they pledged to give at least seven days' notice in consideration of passengers. Ho Nuan-hsuan stated that all employees would be treated equally but noted that ground staff did not receive overseas allowances. Talks with the enterprise union were scheduled for the following week.2016-08-13 華航企業工會：全體員工同等福利 否則罷工 China Airlines Workers' Union: All employees should receive equal benefits, otherwise we will strike https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E4%BC%81%E6%A5%AD%E5%B7%A5%E6%9C%83-%E5%85%A8%E9%AB%94%E5%93%A1%E5%B7%A5%E4%BA%AB%E5%90%8C%E7%AD%89%E7%A6%8F%E5%88%A9-%E5%90%A6%E5%89%87%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A5-090800445.html 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160813200520/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E4%BC%81%E6%A5%AD%E5%B7%A5%E6%9C%83-%E5%85%A8%E9%AB%94%E5%93%A1%E5%B7%A5%E4%BA%AB%E5%90%8C%E7%AD%89%E7%A6%8F%E5%88%A9-%E5%90%A6%E5%89%87%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A5-090800445.html 13 August 2016 Although the seven union demands would increase annual operating costs by NT$200 million, Ho believed the company could absorb the cost without raising ticket prices.2016-08-13 華航罷工效應 地勤跟進 China Airlines strike results: Ground staff follow up https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A5%E6%95%88%E6%87%89-%E5%9C%B0%E5%8B%A4%E8%B7%9F%E9%80%B2-160000154.html 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160813234508/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%8F%AF%E8%88%AA%E7%BD%B7%E5%B7%A5%E6%95%88%E6%87%89-%E5%9C%B0%E5%8B%A4%E8%B7%9F%E9%80%B2-160000154.html 13 August 2016 Chang Yu-heng warned that state-owned enterprises like the Kaohsiung MRT and Taiwan Railways might follow suit. He also acknowledged that China Airlines might not return to profitability due to the strike.2016-06-28 華航罷工代價大 全民埋單 China Airlines strike costs a lot, everyone is paying the bill http://money.udn.com/money/story/9635/1787512 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160628115312/http://money.udn.com/money/story/9635/1787512 28 June 2016 On June 27, the Legislative Yuan's Legislative Yuan Transportation Committee Transportation Committee zh 立法院交通委員會 passed a resolution requesting the Ministry of Transportation to seek legal accountability and compensation from former executives Sun Hung-hsiang and Chang Yu-heng. According to China Airlines, the strike led to an estimated NT$300 million revenue loss and NT$200 million in compensation costs, totaling around NT$500 million. Additionally, fulfilling the union's demands was projected to increase annual expenses by NT$550 million.2016-06-28 華航罷工虧損5億 立委決議向前董座、總經理究責求償 China Airlines strike results in NT$500 million loss; Legislators decide to hold former chairman and general manager accountable and demand compensation http://www.ettoday.net/news/20160627/724113.htm 2025-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20160628133542/http://www.ettoday.net/news/20160627/724113.htm 28 June 2016 References Category:Aviation strikes Category:2016 in Taiwan Category:China Airlines Category:2016 in aviation Category:2016 labor disputes and strikes Category:June 2016 in Asia