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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Zenroren union activists discuss ways to counter attacks on government employees

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) held a meeting on December 1-2 in Atami City (Shizuoka Pref.) to discuss ways of struggle for the next year's Spring Struggle.

Under the Koizumi "structural reform" policy and business circles' increasing attacks on trade unions, Zenroren has proposed fighting for "another Japan" in which workers and citizens together defend peace and their living standards.

Zenroren President Kumagai Kanemichi called for increased struggles against the plans for a major tax increase, adverse change in the medical services system, and constitutional revision. He particularly referred to the need to counter the attacks on government employees and trade unions ostensibly in a quest for "a small government."

A representative of the Japan Federation of National Service Employees (Kokko-roren) said that the claim that cuts in the number of government employees will help reduce the total personnel cost and thereby help rehabilitate government finances is a false argument. He emphasized the need to make this fallacy known to the general public.

A feature of the discussion is the emphasis placed on the need to promote cooperation between regular and non-regular or part-time workers.

A representative from Osaka reported that out of 82 non-regular child care workers at public nursery schools, 75 workers mostly in their 20s set up unions.

A representative of the Japan Federation of Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Unions (Jichiroren), stated, "Non-regular workers will show their strength once they are organized, know how to carry out their struggles, and have union perspectives."
- Akahata, December 2&3, 2005