Petrochemical workers win discrimination suit
Eight union members of a petrochemical firm have reached an agreement with the company on ending wage discrimination against particular union members.
In the agreement signed on February 14, the petrochemical giant promised that the company would not conduct unfair labor practice, treat all employees fairly and equally, seek solution by collective bargaining if labor-management disputes occur, and pay settlement money to the workers who had been suffering from wage discrimination.
Workers of Nippon Petrochemicals Kawasaki Office in Kanagawa Prefecture, who claimed that they were discriminated against because of their membership in a union affiliated to the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), filed a lawsuit against the company in 1995. The Kanagawa Prefectural Federation of Trade Unions-Zenroren supported their court struggle.
A leader of the eight workers said, "The outcome has proved that we have been correct in fighting against labor discrimination, and I want to thank everybody for their support." (end)
