McDonald's part-time workers thank a trade unionist for improvement in their working condition

An Akahata report (August 19) on the struggle of a part-time worker of McDonald's Japan has attracted great attention, particularly among young people, many of whom have part-time jobs. It was a story that was carried about Sato Yuji, who joined a general workers union and pushed the company into giving paid leave to its part-timers.

His success also drew media attention. Weekly "Sunday Mainichi" magazine's September 16 issue carried a feature story titled, "A part-time worker at McDonald's has demanded and got paid leave!"

"You may think that we are making too much of this, but what he has done encourages the public who are becoming more and more concerned about the possible pain Prime Minister Koizumi's 'structural reform without restrictions' might cause," the weekly magazine said.

Saito, a member of the Tokyo Council of General Amalgamated Workers' Unions, after negotiating with the company on the issue, said, "In the shop where I work, another dozen part-time workers are claiming their right to take paid leave. They are very glad and thankful."

More than 100,000 McDonald's part-time workers have several Web sites. Using the bulletin board of one site, their discussion started with a worker's note which read, "Akahata reported this on its front page. The McDonald's Japan's head office is upset."

A worker expressed support for Saito's effort and introduced a story that a store manager, who is also a part-time worker, was rushed to a hospital by ambulance after overworking, and while in hospital he got no money from the company because he was not given paid leave.

In the negotiations with Saito, McDonald's Japan promised to ensure that shop meetings be held to explain to all part-time workers about the right to paid leave and that a sufficient number of part-time workers be hired. (end)