August 10, 2013
A 40-year-old woman on August 9 brought before the Osaka District Court the contestation of her “lockout” dismissal by IBM Japan Osaka Office, demanding the nullification of her dismissal, payment of wages, and compensation for losses.
The woman is a member of the All-Japan Metal and Information Machinery Workers’ Union (JMIU). Another five JMIU members, victims of IBM Japan’s “lockout layoff” scheme, are waging their court battle in Tokyo.
On June 21, the plaintiff was called out by her boss, ordered to make a choice between early retirement and dismissal, and then locked out.
According to the plaintiff, in 2006 when she came back from maternity and childcare leave, the company degraded her from an IT specialist position because she refused to accept the company’s early retirement request. She, however, continued working while raising her child by utilizing the company’s program which allows employees with family responsibilities to reduce their work schedule and refrain from working overtime. The company discharged her as it was angered by her working style, stressed the plaintiff.
Meanwhile, IBM Japan, as the reason for the dismissal claimed that her job performance was poor without providing any supportive evidence.
The JMIU claimed that her dismissal lacks “objectively reasonable grounds” under the Labor Contract Act and is thus invalid.
Past related articles:
> Another two union members sue IBM for their ‘lockout dismissals’ [June 21, 2013]
> Union worker wages court battle against ‘lockout’ dismissal [June 13, 2013]
> Workers strike against IBM Japan’s ‘lockout’ layoffs [June 4, 2013]
> IBM conducts forcible ‘lockout’ dismissals [Oct 13, 2012]
The woman is a member of the All-Japan Metal and Information Machinery Workers’ Union (JMIU). Another five JMIU members, victims of IBM Japan’s “lockout layoff” scheme, are waging their court battle in Tokyo.
On June 21, the plaintiff was called out by her boss, ordered to make a choice between early retirement and dismissal, and then locked out.
According to the plaintiff, in 2006 when she came back from maternity and childcare leave, the company degraded her from an IT specialist position because she refused to accept the company’s early retirement request. She, however, continued working while raising her child by utilizing the company’s program which allows employees with family responsibilities to reduce their work schedule and refrain from working overtime. The company discharged her as it was angered by her working style, stressed the plaintiff.
Meanwhile, IBM Japan, as the reason for the dismissal claimed that her job performance was poor without providing any supportive evidence.
The JMIU claimed that her dismissal lacks “objectively reasonable grounds” under the Labor Contract Act and is thus invalid.
Past related articles:
> Another two union members sue IBM for their ‘lockout dismissals’ [June 21, 2013]
> Union worker wages court battle against ‘lockout’ dismissal [June 13, 2013]
> Workers strike against IBM Japan’s ‘lockout’ layoffs [June 4, 2013]
> IBM conducts forcible ‘lockout’ dismissals [Oct 13, 2012]
