Akahata helped a worker get his dismissal notice withdrawn

"How to fight back dismissal--ten pieces of advice," an article carried by the Akahata Sunday Edition on December 16, 2001, encouraged a worker to take action to get a dismissal notice withdrawn.

Takahashi Yoshio, who worked for a grocery store in front of JR Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture, was told by the store manager on December 3, 2001 that he will be dismissed by the end of the month. Takahashi was only one of the three regular workers that the store manager wanted to discharge.

He has worked for the store for 17 years, supporting an eight-member family. He asked the store manager to reconsider his decision and let Takahashi explain his situation, but was refused.

One morning he found an Akahata Sunday Edition dated December 16, that other workers read and put on a table in the store, featuring corporate restructuring. The paper introduced ways recommended by the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) to fight against dismissal notices.

Zenroren called on workers to answer "No" to a dismissal notice and consult with someone. Feeling encouraged, Takahashi the next day went to a Japanese Communist Party office near his store, seeking advice.

Listening to Takahashi, the JCP office staff immediately called Zenroren's Miyagi prefectural office (Miyagi Kenroren) and made an appointment for him.

The Miyagi Kenroren secretary talked with Takahashi, and went to his store manager to explain Takahashi's family situation and ask him to withdraw the dismissal notice.

On January 11, 2002, the store manager cancelled his decision so that Takahashi has now been able to continue working at the store.

Due to the recent economic recession, all stores in the neighborhood are experiencing financial difficulties. The manager of Takahashi's store said, "I didn't know that the JCP gives advice on such matters. I may be the next person to go to the JCP office to ask for help."

Recalling his experience, Takahashi said, "If I hadn't read Akahata that day, I and my family would have been in big trouble now." The Akahata article which helped Takahashi keep his job is kept in his bag as a precious item that he carries with him every day. (end)