Joint Struggle Committee for 2002 Spring Labor Offensive organized

Determined to launch a massive labor offensive against corporate
restructuring and adverse changes in the medical care systems, the 2002
Joint Struggle Committee for Victory of the People's Spring Struggle has
been established.

The committee's first meeting on October 31 in Tokyo was attended by
representatives of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren),
the Liaison Council of Independent Trade Unions, and other trade union
organizations. Zenroren President Kobayashi Yoji was elected as one of the
three coordinators.

The meeting adopted an action plan for the committee and an appeal
calling for the broadest possible cooperation in the effort to bring success
to the joint struggle.

The action plan includes the following immediate demands:
Stop ruthless restructuring schemes; stop the destruction of the medical
insurance system by the Koizumi Cabinet, especially a plan to impose on
workers the requirement to pay 30% of their medical charges; and raise the
standard of the workers' wages, including the minimum wage. (end)