Japan: Nippon Airways pilot unions threaten demand year-end bonuses

Pilot unions at Japan's second largest airline All Nippon Airways have threatened to go on a 24-hour strike to protest winter bonuses and labor conditions. Representatives from the All Nippon Airways Crew Association composed of 1,515 pilots and flight engineers were continuing negotiations with management of ANA as of late Tuesday to abort a planned walkout starting 0000 Wednesday (1500GMT Tuesday), according to Nana Kon, an ANA spokeswoman said.

Three other unions belonging to ANA subsidiary airlines - the 379-member Air Nippon Crew's Association, the 42-member Air Nippon Network Pilot Union and the Air Next Crew's Association, which is composed of seven pilots - decided against going on strike, the company said in a statement, the AP reports.

None of ANA's international flights scheduled for Wednesday will be affected, but 57 percent of domestic flights will be either canceled or delayed if the walkout goes ahead as threatened, ANA said.

The unions have demanded an increase in their year-end bonuses and an improvement in labor conditions, Kon said, without elaboration. A.M.