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JAL Domestic cabin crew union calls for end to discriminatory treatment of unions

The Cabin Crew Union at Japan Airlines Domestic Co., Ltd (JAL Domestic) on May 11 filed a complaint at the Tokyo Metropolitan Labor Relations Commission calling for an end to JAL Domestic's unfair labor practices that includes discrimination based on membership in different trade unions.

The CCU with 1,343 members, said, "It is necessary for the management to end its divisive labor policy and restore trust if JAL is to be rebuilt and operational safety established."

Following the intra-management strife, JAL is planning for a full consolidation with JAL International (formerly JAL) and JAL-Domestic (formerly Japan Air System), calling on all employees to increase efforts to restore trust in the airline.

The management, however, has not broken with the divide and rule labor policy which JAL has practiced for 30 years. In order to divide the CCU, which was established in September 2004, the company used discriminatory tactics offering favorable working conditions to employees who resign from the CCU and join the company union. Reportedly, JAL Domestic selected cabin crew members for international flights or for transfers to JAL International based on union affiliation.

CCU Chair Nakagawa Kaoru said, "Teamwork and mutual trust among crew members are essential for safe aviation. The management is disrupting that."

The complaint to the labor relations commission includes requests for an end to the unfair practice of selecting employees to be promoted based on union affiliation and an end to forcing employees to quit the CCU and join the company union.
- Akahata, May 11 and 12, 2006