JMIU determines to defend workers' rights

On July 19 and 20, the All Japan Metal and Information Machinery Workers' Union (JMIU) held its 32nd general meeting in Shizuoka Prefecture and decided to make full use of the Constitution in its struggles to defend workers' rights and strengthen its activities to defend the Constitution.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the JMIU.

President Ikuma Shigemi announced that the JMIU will support the "Article 9 Committee" which was organized by nine public figures last month in opposition to an adverse revision of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution.

JMIU Secretary Miki Ryoichi stated the need to increase efforts to establish rules in the workplace, achieve a base wage increase, and oppose an adverse revision of the labor laws.

The JMIU decided to continue to work for the establishment of labor-management relations based on cooperation and consensus. Specifically, it will focus on setting up a structure to analyze the state of companies as part of its efforts to protect workers from irresponsible restructuring.

A representative of the JMIU Kitamura Valve branch reported that a co-worker who was dismissed because of his rejection of a transfer to a distant location joined the union to protest against the corporate order, forcing the company to withdraw the dismissal. (end)

JMIU (All Japan Metal and Information Machinery Workers' Union)

The JMIU is a nationwide union of workers in the metal and communication industries, including electrical machinery, steel, and auto manufacturers as well as computer and software makers. Affiliated to the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), it has about 300 branches at small and medium-sized companies as well as major corporations, including IBM Japan, Nissan Motor Co., and Nikon Corp.

In order to defend workers' rights and establish rules in the workplace, the JMIU is striving to build labor-management relations based on "agreement and cooperation."

The JMIU recognizes the support of anti-nuclear and peace activities as one of its important tasks. Peace actions the union has conducted recently include the adoption of the statement in protest against the Iraq war, a signature campaign in opposition to the wartime legislation, and organizing a delegation to the annual World Conference against A & H Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (end)