Local government workers union resolved to stop Koizumi's 'structural reform'

The 23rd Annual Convention of the Japan Federation of Prefectural and
Municipal Workers' Unions (Jichiroren), held from August 27-29 in Kitakyushu
City, focused on the struggle against the Koizumi Cabinet's "structural
reform" plans.

In the opening address, Jichiroren President Fukushima Yuzuru emphasized
that the movement is at the threshold of a new era in which "we can create a
groundswell to our advantage."

He specifically noted the increasing public criticism of the Koizumi
Cabinet's position on the history textbook issue and official visits to
Yasukuni Shrine. He also said that so-called "structural reform" plans are
totally in favor of large corporations, with the cost of the working people.

Considering that government assaults in the name of "structural reform"
will increase over the next three years, the convention adopted an action
plan calling on Jichiroren members to repel those attacks by putting forward
their demands for democratic municipalities.

At the convention, the Jichiroren leadership published a proposal for a
democratic reform of the local government employees system, entitled: "For a
'local government employees system' which goes hand in hand with the
people/residents."

The proposal, drafted as a counter to the government proposal, is
dedicated to the defense of the public well-being, human lives, and human
rights.

It criticizes the government for seeking to induce municipalities to
succumb to market forces and surrender local government work to private
businesses. It also points out that the introduction of salaries based on
rewards and punishments regarding municipality employees' job performance is
nothing less than an attempt to make employees submissive to the government
in power.

The proposal includes the following points: improvement of services for
local residents; fairness and transparency in personnel affairs and
salaries; establishment of civil and political freedoms; abolition of
privileged management positions; and restoration of the basic labor rights
to government employees.

The Jichiroren proposal will be put to a national discussion for further
refinements. (end)