Flight attendants on hunger strike

by Annie Scott on

It’s hard for most of us to imagine a situation so dire it would inspire us to go on hunger strike. Sadly, that is not the case for the Russian flight attendants who were not paid for eight months of work when their airline folded.

According to United Press International:
“KrasAir ceased operations last October when it ran out of cash, the news service said. Part of the AirUnion alliance, the carrier had about 2,500 employees and folded owing an estimated $10 million in back wages to its employees.”

RFERL reports that not nine (as state by UPI), but seventeen flight attendants stopped eating on May 14. Six of the flight attendants have been hospitalized.

In this economy, I think we all know the fear that we’d lose our jobs — but to not be paid for eight months of work? And have absolutely no power to demand it? Maybe I’d go on hunger strike, too. Well stated on Wikipedia: “A hunger strike cannot be effective if the fact that it is being undertaken is not publicized so as to be known by the people who are to be impressed, concerned or embarrassed by it.” So here I am, publicizing it. Pay your employees, KrasAir!

Former KrasAir flight attendants not participating in the strike are reportedly planning to rally today near the KrasAir offices in Krasnoyarsk.

Death, hunger strike, and execution reveal mounting tension between Taiwan and China

by Brenda Yun on

The father of a family friend of mine recently passed away in Taiwan. He was a well-respected Taiwanese dignitary, and mourning his death will continue until his burial next week. In the meantime, family members leave the front door of their home open and people stop by to express their condolences.

There’s a lot of crying going on in Taiwan these days. Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian ended his two-week hunger strike that was an effort in protesting his recent arrest. He has been accused of bribing and money-laundering – the proof of which has been uncovered in three Swiss bank accounts. Despite this proof, he wrote a poem that was published in the Liberty Times on November 25th, saying he would die for Taiwan’s independence from China. He continues to accuse Taiwan’s current administration of pandering to its communist neighbor. To be certain, if Chen had been arrested in China he would be executed immediately (none of this hunger strike business!), as was the case of Wo Weihan, a biomedical researcher and businessman who was accused of spying for Taiwan. Wo was executed Friday, leaving no final words and saying no goodbyes. The E.U. and U.S. contend that Wo did not receive a fair trial.

Tension is mounting between these two Asian neighbors. Death, hunger strikes, and executions certainly cannot resolve the deeper issues that will surface in the months to come.