Municipal workers in convention resolve to strive to defend Constitution and local autonomy

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Municipal workers in convention resolve to strive to defend Constitution and local autonomy

The Japan Federation of Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union (Jichiroren), an affiliate of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), adopted its 2006 action program at its annual convention held August 21-23 in Tsukuba City in Ibaraki Prefecture.

Jichiroren Secretary Oguro Sakuji called on participants to take a lead in raising public awareness to defend the Constitution and local autonomy.

In opposition to the "structural reform" policies of local governments that cut public services, he called for launching a campaign to review overall financial and administrative management of local governments in order to regain public employees' social conscience and pride to serve the interests of residents and establish better working conditions so as to be able to work without anxieties.

He proposed to increase the union membership to 300,000, referring to the fact that an increasing number of part-timers and workers engaged in local government-related jobs are joining Jichiroren to press for their demands.
- Akahata, August 24, 2006