 Truck workers unions agree with employers on defending Article 9 During the 2005 spring struggle, truck workers unions in Fukuoka in western Japan succeeded in having twelve employers join with the union to defend Article 9 of the Constitution and oppose the war laws. In this year's annual collective bargaining, the prefectural truck workers bargaining unit of the Construction, Transport and General Workers' Union made this proposal. At first, some employers were reluctant to conclude such an agreement, citing the difference of thought and belief. The union explained that the U.S. forces in Japan have asked the Japanese government to consider leasing many trucks in Okinawa and near Iwakuni Base in an emergency. Employers have come to understand that the transport business will be inoperable if emergency legislation is invoked, and the unions concluded agreements with 12 companies. The pact also included calls for an immediate withdrawal of the Self-Defense Forces from Iraq, abolition of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, and cuts in military expenditures. An employers organization within the truck industry expressed support for the reserve SDF official system to be invoked in an emergency. In contrast, the Fukuoka truck chapter of the All Japan Construction, Transport and General Workers Union (CTG) has been developing a movement in opposition to wartime legislation that mobilizes transport companies in war. CTG Fukuoka truck chapter chair To Kazumasa said, "Employers share the sense of crisis. Military use of Fukuoka Port will disrupt all dock work. We want employers and workers to together oppose Article 9 from being adversely revised." (Akahata April 15, 2005) |