Union formation and worker resistance in a multinational: A personal account of an Asian cabin crew member in UK civil aviation

Abstract

This article presents a first-hand account and afterword by ‘Susan Wong’ on the formation of an Asian cabin crew trade union and the nine-year period of resistance in response to imposed changes to employment terms and conditions by the management of a UK multinational airline. The main issue was an imposed premature retirement age compared to UK-based colleagues. Opposition occurred in the UK courts, to identify the correct employment jurisdiction and then cite both age and race discrimination. The workers’ victory over the company, which had similar plans for other overseas workers, demonstrates union efficacy and Susan’s determination and resilience. The narrative enhances the understanding of the micro-processes of mobilization, the nature of discrimination and identity, and the lived experience of combining cabin crew work with union activism.