Local government workers convention focuses on efforts to protect resident services

The Japan Federation of Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Unions (Jichiroren) held its 24th convention from August 26-28 in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.

Delegates reported on a wide-range of issues such as cutbacks in resident services, opposition to undemocratic mergers of municipalities, and wartime legislation.

A delegate of the Koriyama City Employees' Union reported on their activity with local people to collect more than 50 thousand signatures against the city's plan to close public kindergartens.

A delegate from Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, said that his city had a rally against the wartime legislation in June with huge cooperation among several unions which are affiliated with different national centers, the Japanese Communist and Social Democratic Parties, and religious groups. (end)