Japan Press Weekly

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2017 March 1 - 7 [LABOR]

Union wins withdrawal of distant transfer and demotion orders

A trade union at Japan’s leading honey company on March 2 in a lawsuit against the employer reached a settlement mediated by the Tokyo District Court, which promises to withdraw distant transfer and demotion orders against union members and pay a lump sum settlement.

The lawsuit was filed in 2014 by a local of the National Union of General Workers (Zenkoku-ippan) which is affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).

In July 2012, after the replacement of the company president, Kato Borthers Honey Co., Ltd. changed workers’ working conditions, including the amount of seasonal bonuses, which motivated workers to form their union. Taking a hostile view of the union, the new president labeled union members as “bad workers” and treated them in an unfair manner such as with the issuing of distant transfer and demotion orders and discrimination in bonus payments. Seeking to put a stop to such unfair labor practices, the union decided to begin a battle in labor relations commissions and in court.

At a press conference after the court-mediated-settlement, Zenkoku-ippan branch chair Kawamura Yuji said, “Even during settlement negotiations, the company imposed worsened working conditions on its factory workers. We continue our fight against the company pertaining to this matter.”

Past related article:
> Metropolitan labor authorities order company to negotiate with union [January 9, 2016]