Japan Press Weekly

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2014 March 19 - 25 [LABOR]

Japan’s postal workers walk out to seek pay increase

Japan’s postal workers’ union on March 18 went on a partial strike in protest against the company’s response to their demands in collective bargaining.

The Postal Industry Workers’ Union (PIWU) in this year’s annual spring wage struggle had called on Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. to provide a monthly wage increase of 20,000 yen to regular employees and an hourly wage increase of 150 yen to non-regular employees, and implement equal treatment between regular and non-regular workers.

The company’s response fell far short of the union’s demands. The company only proposed to increase regular workers’ basic wages by 1,000 yen and give a 10 yen hourly pay raise to a certain number of non-regular workers.

Following the company’s insulting response, PIWU members staged a walk out at 28 workplaces across Japan.

In Tokyo, in front of Japan Post headquarters, union members held a rally during their walk out with 150 participants, including union members of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and the National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo).

PIWU Chair Himaki Naoe stressed, “Japan Post is forecasting that it will increase its net profits after tax by 70 billion yen from the initial estimate. The company has sufficient financial strength to provide higher wages and equal treatment to all workers.” He expressed his determination to work hard together with all postal workers for the realization of union demands.

Heads of Zenroren and Zenrokyo delivered speeches in solidarity. The rally also received a message of solidarity from the South Korean postal workers’ union.

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On March 23, the National Federation of Dockworkers’ Unions of Japan (Zenkoku-kowan) and the Japanese Confederation of Port and Transport Workers’ Union together staged 24-hour strikes at all docks across the nation.

At the Yokohama Port, Zenkoku-kowan Yokohama local shut port gates at 8 a.m. and went on a strike.

In this year’s annual wage struggle, Zenkoku-kowan has been bargaining for a drastic wage increase in order to protect workers’ livelihoods from the negative impacts of a heavier consumption tax and resultant higher prices.

A bargaining partner, the Japan Harbor Transportation Association, however, suddenly proposed that the current system for determining dockworkers’ minimum wage be abolished and that working conditions be negotiated with each individual company.

If the association refuses to respond to the union’s demand, Zenkoku-kowan will again go on a strike on March 29.