Kyoto broadcast workers’ union wins full-time position for contingent workers

Japan Press Weekly

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Kyoto broadcast workers’ union wins full-time position for contingent workers

At the Kyoto Broadcasting System (KBS Kyoto), 15 contingent workers have won full-time positions and job security in the last two years through a struggle led by the Kyoto Broadcasting System Workers’ Union.

In a campaign since the autumn of 2006 calling for economic inequalities among the workers to be eradicated at KBS Kyoto, the union has led a campaign to evaluate the working conditions of contingent workers and found illegal labor practices involving two temporary workers “disguised as independent contractors.” The union immediately began demanding that the company give them full-time positions.

The two workers, Nishimura Hiroyasu and Ishiura Kazuta, both 39, were leased to KBS Kyoto by an affiliate company, KBS Kyoto Project Co., Ltd.

Ishiura will begin to work in a full-time position from next April. He said, “I have learned that no problems regarding working conditions will be solved unless I do something; I was able to win the struggle thanks to the union struggle.”

At a time when the number of contingent workers is increasing, there is a widespread concern in broadcasting companies that unstable employment will imperil the foundation of producing quality programs.

Vice Chair Furuzumi Kimiyoshi of the KBS Kyoto Workers’ Union said, “In order to produce programs acceptable to Kyoto citizens, ensuring that workers can work under stable conditions is essential.” He emphasized that the struggle for winning full-time positions was the mission as broadcast workers aiming to produce programs that are socially relevant to the citizens.

- Akahata, August 20, 2008