 Young workers call for major campaign to defend jobs and Constitution The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) Youth Section held its 17th regular convention on September 17 and 18 in Tokyo to discuss ways to develop a major campaign demanding jobs for all young people and to defend constitutional peace and democracy. About 50 people attended the convention from individual unions and organizations in many places. This year, the Zenroren youth section recruited volunteers to test living on a legal minimum wage for a period of time. The discussions showed that many young people are living under conditions lower than this level. Participants reported on how young people are excluded from full-time regular jobs due to the ongoing corporate restructuring. A medical worker said, "Those who keep their jobs are exhausted. It is time for trade unions to protect them." A teacher affiliated with the All Japan Teachers' and Staff's Union called for increasing union members through the union's campaign to talk with 100,000 non-unionized workers. A construction worker spoke of a successful anti-nuclear truck caravan in the summer running between Tokyo and Hiroshima for three straight years. Participants also discussed the need for every union to work out effective strategies to end the practice of working overtime without pay and to reduce irregular jobs. On the evening of September 18 after the first day session closed, participants carried out a signature drive near Tokyo Dome in solidarity with the first strike of the professional baseball players union. (end) |