Agree about the SCMP not being in the Swire pocket. But most of the travelling public does not read the SCMP - though I should imagine many frequent fliers are more likely to.
The fact is that public sympathy is unlikely to be on the side of expat crew. The more you stress hours and money, the less sympathy there will be.
The only way to go is serious action. That will bring the government into the picture.
Remember the cabin crew strike? Remember the look on the Chairman's face after Anson Chan (then Sec for Economic Svcs) read him the riot act?