Cathay Dragon cabin crew union leader becomes latest casualty of Hong Kong’s political crisis after her employment is ‘terminated’

Rebecca Sy, chairwoman of Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Flight Attendants’ Association, given choice of resigning or being fired, sources say

Online petition launched demanding company reinstate Sy, a flight attendant, and explain its actions

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Rebecca Sy (right), with other unionists, dedicated her life to the airline, a petition calling for her reinstatement says. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 12:51am, 23 Aug 2019Updated: 7:14am, 23 Aug 2019

The cabin crew union leader of Cathay Dragon has become the latest casualty of Hong Kong’s political crisis as local airlines buckle under pressure to toe Beijing’s line on taking a stand against the anti-government movement sweeping the city.

The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions said it would hold a press conference on Friday to disclose the termination of Rebecca Sy On-na, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Flight Attendants’ Association.

It described her case as “white terror” but gave no further details on Thursday night.

An online petition has been launched demanding the company reinstate Sy, a flight attendant, and explain its actions.

Parent company Cathay Pacific Airways on Thursday warned staff that their social media content would be heavily scrutinised, and said posts expressing support for the protests could fall foul of a strict new policy being forced on the airline by mainland China’s aviation authority.

Cathay Pacific employees have been warned of terminations for supporting or joining illegal protests. Photo: Felix Wong