Unions target Cathay Pacific Airline in Hong Kong protest

Trade union members in Hong Kong rallied Wednesday against Cathay Pacific Airways, which has fired several employees in the past 2 weeks after coming under pressure from China over their links to pro-democracy protests. Cathay's situation encapsulates the very fears that sparked the protests — that China is encroaching on the freedoms and separate legal system that Hong Kong maintains under a "one country, two systems" framework. The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions said that 20 Cathay employees have been dismissed or forced to resign, including pilots, cabin crew, ground staff and managers. It called the rally after Cathay Dragon fired cabin crew union head Rebecca Sy last week. Sy says she was given no reason for her dismissal. <br/>