Contingent workers at Isuzu Motors form a labor union

Japan Press Weekly

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

Contingent workers at Isuzu Motors form a labor union

Four temporary workers and fixed-term contract workers at Isuzu Motors Tochigi Plant in Ohira-machi, Tochigi Prefecture, on December 3 established their union represented by the All-Japan Metal and Information Machinery Workers’ Union (JMIU).

The four workers, who received dismissal notices just recently, are demanding that Isuzu retract its plan to lay off illegally all temporary workers and fixed-term contract workers and that they be offered full-time positions.

Isuzu Tochigi Plant has told 274 temporary workers and 156 fixed-term contract workers that it would lay them off before the expiry of the current contracts.

Newly formed JMIU Isuzu Branch Chair Matsumoto Hirotoshi said, “We are determined to struggle against unfair dismissals. I want to call on other contingent workers to join us in raising our voices instead of unwillingly accepting the layoff notice.”

On the same day, the new born union members and their advocates held an assembly to celebrate the union’s inauguration.

Representatives of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and JMIU said, “Let’s force Isuzu to give up on the illegal dismissals and fulfill its social responsibility as a major corporation. The establishment of this union encourages contingent workers across the nation. Let’s win the revocation of the layoff plan with nationwide support and solidarity.”

The JMIU Isuzu Branch on the following day notified Isuzu of its inauguration and filed for an injunction against the dismissals with the Utsunomiya District Court Tochigi Branch. - Akahata, December 4, 2008