Japan Press Weekly

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2014 July 23 - 29 [LABOR]

Labor relations authority: Kanagawa orchestra’s dismissal of two musicians found to be unfair labor practice

The Kanagawa Labor Relations Commission on July 24 acknowledged that the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra unfairly dismissed two members, ordering the orchestra to restore them to their original positions.

The commission also required payment of back wages and the issuance of a formal apology to the two musicians.

The two contrabass players, Sugimoto Tadashi and Fusegi Kenji, are members of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra branch of the Kanagawa prefectural general union for public sector workers.

The labor relations authority ruled that as the Kanagawa Philharmonic discharged two members using irrational grounds, the union received a negative impact, constituting unfair labor practices prohibited under the Labor Union Act.

The lawyers’ group representing the two musicians issued a comment, saying that the commission made a rational decision. It also demanded that the orchestra take the decision seriously into account and retract the two musicians’ dismissal.


Past related articles:
> Orchestra musicians seek cancellation of unfair dismissals [ November 9, 2012]
> Kanagawa orchestra members seek withdrawal of their dismissals [ August 17, 2012]
> Kanagawa Orchestra members demand withdrawal of dismissals [ July 5, 2012]