 ANCC workers win withdrawal of layoff In an out-of-court settlement with the All Nippon Checkers Corporation Kobe Branch Union on December 6, the All Nippon Checkers Corporation (ANCC) agreed to revoke the 30 percent cut in wages and layoffs, and pay settlement money to workers in addition to part of the difference. The union's team of lawyers team highly regard this as a precious achievement. In January 2003, ANCC unilaterally imposed a 30 percent cut in wages and a 3-month furlough as well as a 3-year layoff upon union workers of the ANCC Kobe Branch affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren). It was soon after the Kobe District Court ruling that a 50 percent wage cut is invalid. In the settlement, ANCC agreed to pay union workers half of the difference in the 30 percent cut in back pay, withdraw the layoffs and reinstate them, keep the wage system unchanged until October 2005, sincerely sit at the negotiating table with the union, and pay settlement money to the workers. The ANCC Kobe Branch workers' union commented that the withdrawal of layoffs is encouraging other workers to fight against unfair labor practice. ANCC is an incorporated body that counts the numbers of cargo and checks for damages in exports and imports at ports. (end) |