Japan Press Weekly

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2016 April 6 - 12 [LABOR]

Professional orchestra musicians win withdrawal of dismissals

The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra on April 11 accepted an out-of-court settlement withdrawing the dismissals of two contrabass players.

The orchestra in April 2012 discharged the two men without notice on the grounds of their performing technique and their attitude during performances. They are executive officers in the Kanagawa prefectural general union for public sector workers. The union claimed that the dismissals amount to unfair labor practices against the union which has been protesting decade-long wage cuts and demanding better working conditions.

The Kanagawa Prefectural Labor Relations Commission in July 2014 recognized the orchestra’s unfair labor practices. The Yokohama District Court in November 2015 ruled that their dismissals are invalid. The orchestra gave up appealing to a higher court. Accordingly, the two sides agreed on a settlement.

Sugimoto Tadashi, vice president of the union, said, “Prolonging the dispute will do no good. So, I decided to settle with the orchestra.” Fusegi Kenji, an executive committee member of the union, said, “I hope the orchestra will take this opportunity to become a legitimate organization respecting workers’ rights.”

Past related articles:
> Court nullifies orchestra musicians’ dismissals [November 27, 2015]
> Labor relations authority: Kanagawa orchestra’s dismissal of two musicians found to be unfair labor practice [July 25, 2014]
> 2 union musicians sue orchestra for their dismissals [August 2, 2013]