25 women golf course workers win victorious settlement after 7 years of court struggle

Japan Press Weekly

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

25 women golf course workers win victorious settlement after 7 years of court struggle

Twenty-five women workers, including caddies, who have been demanding their reinstatement to full-time positions at a golf course in Tochigi Prefecture, reached a settlement with Tobu Sports seven years after they brought their case to court.

The company on August 26 apologized to the workers and agreed to pay them settlement money.

The Tobu Sports president at a news conference said, "I offer my sincere apology to the workers for arbitrarily changing their working conditions and forcing them to endure tremendous disadvantages and suffering."

The parent company Tobu Railway managing director apologized for not responding to their request for collective bargaining.

In 2002, Tobu Sports unilaterally changed the status of these workers from full-time employees into fixed-term employees with a 30 percent wage cut.

The workers started a struggle against the change by unionizing themselves and brought their case to court. They received support from the All-Japan Metal Information Machinery Workers' Union (JMIU).

The workers' victory was assured when the Supreme Court in July rejected the company's appeal.

- Akahata, August 27, 2009