Japan Press Weekly

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2013 December 4 - 10 [LABOR]

Tagajo City should call on Sony to increase jobs: Sony union

A local branch of a Sony workers’ union on December 5 called on Tagajo City in Miyagi Prefecture to demand that a local Sony subsidiary stop using controversial downsizing methods and increase local employment.

Matsuda Takaaki, chair of the Sony workers’ union Sendai branch (affiliated with the Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Union), and representatives of the prefectural liaison council for the 2014 spring wage struggle, the Zenroren-affiliated Miyagi Prefectural Federation of Trade Unions, and a citizens group in support of Sony workers visited the Tagajo city office building to meet with Mayor Kikuchi Kenjiro.

Matsuda pointed out that Sony Sendai Technology Center, which is located in the city, is using unlawful downsizing methods, including calling for early retirement. He urged that the city should request the tech company to stop slashing jobs and to put more emphasis on workers’ rights.

He also said that the city should call on Sony to increase employment by expanding production and to play a leading role in a recovery from the 2011 Great East Japan Disaster.

The mayor in reply said that he will ask Sony to maintain employment in the city.

Matsuda and other participants submitted a written request concerning this matter to the chair of the city assembly.

Past related articles
> Relocation of worker to distant office must be cancelled: Sony workers’ union [June 27, 2013]
> Sony workers in ‘downsizing room’ attain job assignment [April 14, 2013]
> Sony workers urge labor ministry to relieve them from company’s cruel retirement scheme [February 8, 2013]