Japan Press Weekly

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2012 July 4 - 10 [LABOR]

New postal workers’ union formed beyond difference of upper organizations

Japan’s two labor unions representing workers in the postal service, which had been affiliated with different national centers, united and formed a new union. On July 1 in Tokyo, members of the two unions held a conference to inaugurate the postal industry workers’ union.

One of the combined unions was a member of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), and the other was in the National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo). The new union declared its policy to prevent the privatization of postal services and improve the working conditions of all postal workers, including contingent workers.

Hirooka Motoho, former chairperson of the union affiliated with Zenroren, gave the opening address at the conference. He said that both unions had built up a relationship of mutual trust through their joint struggle against privatization of the postal system, and for enabling contingent workers to become regular workers. “The establishment of the new union will accelerate the cooperation between trade unions and contribute to uniting the working class,” he said.

In discussions, some members spoke from the floor. A representative of the Kinki region said, “We have been working hard to organize non-regular employees, who make up one-third of the union membership now. We will do our utmost to enable them all to become permanent workers.” A delegate of Hokkaido said, “Seeking the withdrawal of contingent workers’ dismissals, we have been fighting in court.”

Hirooka was elected as the first chairperson of the newly established union.