Court rules JAL's arbitrary change in flight hours for crew is invalid

In a lawsuit filed by Japan Airlines flight crew union members calling for invalidating the company's unilateral change in working conditions to force crew members to work longer hours without rotation, the Tokyo High Court on December 11 upheld the union's position.

Akahata of December 12 said that the judgment is significant in that "it calls on the company to ensure safety through improving the working conditions of flight crews, although it does not directly mention the safety of air transportation. The ruling is more than just a union victory. It gives a warning to the corporate 'restructuring and streamlining' policy that undermines established work rules." Akahata stated that it is very significant in maintaining the safety of air transportation.

JAL has been imposing on its flight crew members the "world's severest flights" (including the trans-Pacific flight) with no relief crews aboard.

In the lawsuit that attracted world attention regarding ensuring flight safety, the high court ruled that crew members have no obligation to work more than 13 hours, including 9 hours in flight. This represents a complete victory for the union after 10 years in court.

On October 31, 1993, JAL one-sidedly scrapped the labor agreement with the union. On the next day it introduced adversely changed work regulations to change the 9 hours maximum in flight hours to 11 hours.

It has been concerned that the change might threaten the safety of the flight through the fatigue and loss of concentration of the crew members. The union lodged its suit in April 1994. (end)