Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2022 July 27 - August 2 [LABOR]

JAL unions and JAL management sign agreement to work toward settlement of unfair dismissals

Japan Airlines and two JAL unions on July 29 reached an agreement to work toward settlement of the dismissal of 165 pilots and cabin attendants which occurred in late 2010.

A joint council consisting of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo), and the Japan Mass Media Culture Information Workers' Union Conference (MIC) has tenaciously supported the unions' struggle.

The JAL Flight Crew Union and the JAL Cabin Crew Union (CCU) expressed their gratitude for the joint council's support.

The agreement confirms that JAL will make efforts to rebuild a relationship of trust with the unions, and that a sound labor-management relation is a basis necessary to ensure safe flights. It also confirms that JAL will do its utmost to educate its management in order to prevent a recurrence of dismissals due to a business downturn.

The Supreme Court in September 2016 recognized that JAL's interference in the unions' right to strike, which they were to go on to demand the retraction of the dismissals, constitutes an unfair labor practice. Regarding this issue, the International Labour Organization (ILO) issued recommendations four times to settle the issue.

Past related articles:
> ILO to JAL: negotiate with unions toward reinstating laid-off crew [December 16, 2015]
> Court again recognizes JAL’s unfair labor practice [June 19, 2015]
> Court annuls JAL’s dismissal of flight attendant [January 29, 2015]
> International pilots group calls for JAL dismissals to be settled [October 24, 2013]
> ILO requests gov’t to encourage JAL to negotiate with union [June 29, 2012]
> Labor board: JAL’s interference in unions’ voting process is unfair [August 4, 2011]
> Foreign labor organizations pay attention to JAL dismissal [July 26,2011]
> JAL’s forcible dismissal violates ILO conventions [December 11 & 14, 2010]