Japan Press Weekly

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2014 June 4 - 10 [LABOR]

High court rejects ex-JAL CAs’ appeal against their unfair dismissals

The Tokyo High Court on June 3 issued a ruling that unjustly rejects the dismissed crew members’ appeal against the lower court decision in favor of Japan Airlines.

Japan’s flagship carrier at the end of 2010 under the guise of corporate restructuring dismissed 84 cabin attendants and 81 pilots. These workers are waging court battles seeking retraction of their dismissals and to return to work. The court decision this time was made in a lawsuit over the unfair firing of cabin attendants.

During the trial, former JAL cabin attendants showed that their displacement was unnecessary by presenting documents indicating that the airline cut more jobs than its initial target. The company was unable to refute this argument. The plaintiffs also claimed that JAL mainly kicked out workers who were members of a union, and that this constitutes an unfair labor practice.

The high court, however, closed its ears to the plaintiffs’ arguments and claims.

After the court ruling, ex-JAL workers, along with their lawyers and supporters held a rally. They resolved to overturn the unfair ruling in a Supreme Court battle and win reinstatement.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Yamashita Yoshiki later on the same day published a statement in protest against the unfair high court judgment.

In the statement, Yamashita pointed out that the ruling will pave the way for allowing employers’ abusive and unfair job cuts and cause negative impacts on all workers.

He expressed his determination to work hard in support of the plaintiffs’ struggle.

Past related articles:
> Dismissed JAL workers appeal court judgments [April 13, 2012]
> Unfair rulings delivered on ex-JAL crewmembers[March 30, 31 & April 3, 2012]
> 146 JAL workers file suit against their dismissals [January 20, 2011]