April 13, 2014
The Tokyo Labor Relations Commission urged IBM Japan on April 11 to stop forcing its workers into resignation by using so-called “lockout” tactics.
IBM Japan has employed these tactics against its workers since 2012. In that strategy, the tech giant notifies its employees of their dismissals just before the end of working hours and immediately locks them out of the office. Out of 45 workers who were given dismissal notices, 30 are members of the All-Japan Metal and Information Machinery Workers’ Unions (JMIU). The JMIU is affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).
Those sacked workers filed a complaint in September 2013 with the labor relations commission, claiming that the “lockout” dismissals targeted at union members constitute unfair labor practices which are banned by labor legislation.
In spite of the union’s action, the company forcibly slashed wages, and has repeatedly pressed workers to quit their jobs. Last month, the firm discharged another four union members by using the “lockout” tactic.
Responding to this situation, labor authorities issued a written demand to the company. It calls on the maker to “refrain from taking action that could escalate the labor dispute”.
Sugino Kensaku, the secretary of the union branch at IBM Japan, said, “The authorities’ response to the situation is epoch-making. It means that they de facto stopped the company from resorting to such unlawful measures.”
Past related article:
> Workers strike against IBM Japan’s ‘lockout’ layoffs [June 4, 2013]
IBM Japan has employed these tactics against its workers since 2012. In that strategy, the tech giant notifies its employees of their dismissals just before the end of working hours and immediately locks them out of the office. Out of 45 workers who were given dismissal notices, 30 are members of the All-Japan Metal and Information Machinery Workers’ Unions (JMIU). The JMIU is affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).
Those sacked workers filed a complaint in September 2013 with the labor relations commission, claiming that the “lockout” dismissals targeted at union members constitute unfair labor practices which are banned by labor legislation.
In spite of the union’s action, the company forcibly slashed wages, and has repeatedly pressed workers to quit their jobs. Last month, the firm discharged another four union members by using the “lockout” tactic.
Responding to this situation, labor authorities issued a written demand to the company. It calls on the maker to “refrain from taking action that could escalate the labor dispute”.
Sugino Kensaku, the secretary of the union branch at IBM Japan, said, “The authorities’ response to the situation is epoch-making. It means that they de facto stopped the company from resorting to such unlawful measures.”
Past related article:
> Workers strike against IBM Japan’s ‘lockout’ layoffs [June 4, 2013]
