Major electronics parts maker promises an end to discrimination against union members

A major electronics parts maker, SMK Corporation, on March 26 reached an out-of-court settlement which supported the plaintiff union members' call for the company's discrimination against them in wage and promotion to be rectified.

The 10 discriminated workers belonged to the SMK branch of the National Council of General Amalgamated Workers' Unions (Zenkoku Ippan) affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).

They were poorly rated in the assessment of wages and bonuses and were demoted from managerial positions for opposing corporate restructuring and worker displacement.

In 2002 the Central Labor Commission issued an order of relief, but the company objected to the order and took the case to the Tokyo District Court.

In the reconciliation at the district court, the company promised to pay settlement money including the lost wages and to correct the plaintiffs' future wages separately. (end)