JAL’s forcible dismissal violates ILO conventions

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JAL’s forcible dismissal violates ILO conventions

Pilots and cabin attendants of Japan Airlines (JAL) on December 10 requested the International Labor Organization (ILO) to urge the Japanese government to investigate JAL’s dismissal plan and instruct the company to redress the situation.

Representatives of three unions, including the Japan Federation of Aviation Workers' Unions, the JAL Flight Crew Union, and the Japan Airlines Cabin Crew Union, visited the ILO office in Tokyo and claimed that JAL’s forcible dismissal violates ILO conventions.

The unions said that JAL has already exceeded its goal of cutting 1,500 jobs and achieved yearly business profits of more than 100 billion yen, far greater than the 25 billion yen the company initially projected. Nevertheless, JAL is continuing to fire its employees as it wants to weaken the influence of trade unions, they said.

The unions also pointed out that the dismissal plan, which targets veteran employees, is an issue of age discrimination while stating that JAL has never accepted the unions’ proposals for an introduction of work-sharing and temporary leave systems.

The trade unions concluded that what JAL has done violates the ILO conventions, including the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Rights to Organize Convention (No. 87), Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No. 98), Discrimination Convention (No. 111), and Employment Policy Convention (No. 122).

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JAL’s pilots who have been targeted for dismissal showed their determination to fight against the dismissals using every possible means, including court battles at a news conference on December 13 in Tokyo.

JAL on December 9 gave dismissal notices to pilots and cabin attendants, including the chairs of the Japan Federation of Aviation Workers' Unions, the JAL Flight Crew Union, and the Japan Federation of Civil Aviation Workers' Unions for Air Safety.

The statement issued by the pilots criticized the JAL’s job cut plan, saying, “The plan, without clarifying cause and responsibility for JAL’s management failure, only victimizes employees who have no responsibility for the mismanagement.”

One pilot said, “During 31 years of service, I have transported 10,000 passengers a year without any mishaps. Dismissal is too one-sided and ruthless.” “Pressures on dismissal will make it difficult for our colleagues report in sick to the company and this will have a serious impact on flight safety,” said another.

-Akahata, December 11 & 14, 2010