Sunday, December 13, 2009

Dispute at Panasonic reaching climax ? Human chain of 800 surrounding the Supreme Court


 The struggle of Yoshioka Tsutomu in Panasonic PDP, which influences the future of non-regular and regular workers all around Japan, has reached the climax - the stage of argument in the Supreme Court. This is the first case where the court makes a decision on disguised contracting and unlawful dismissals of non-regular workers. The argument will possibly result in reversing the judgment of the Osaka High Court, which demanded Mr. Yoshioka, the plaintiff, to be reinstated. On November 27, 2009, a human chain surrounded the Supreme Court against the possible reversal of the high court decision. 800 people joined the human chain so as to exceed the circumference. They included members of national centers of trade unions, such as Zenroren (National Confederation of Trade Unions) and Zenrokyo (National Trade Union Council), and non-regular migrant workers. (Kurogane Ko) Photo: Yoshioka Tsutomu appealing in a meeting

パナソニック吉岡争議が最大の山場に~800人で最高裁ヒューマンチェーン
 全国の非正規、そして正規労働者の運命を決めるパナソニックPDP吉岡争議は、いよいよ最大の山場である最高裁での弁論を迎えた。非正規労働者の偽装請負や不法な雇い止め問題に最高裁が判断を下すのはこれが初めてである。弁論が開かれるということで、原告・吉岡力さんが職場復帰を勝ち取った大阪高裁判決が逆転の危機に瀕している。11月27日には、大阪高裁判決の見直しを許さないための闘いの一環として、最高裁包囲ヒューマンチェーン行動が取り組まれた。最高裁前には主催者発表で800人が集まり、ヒューマンチェーンの人波は最高裁1周をはるかに超えた。全労連、全労協などナショナルセンターの違いも国籍も越え、外国人非正規労働者を含めた実に様々な人々が結集した。(黒鉄好) 報告 *写真=報告集会で訴える吉岡力さん

Employees of “Sauna Ojo” near Ueno Station stand up against its closure


On November 3, 2009, the management of “Sauna Ojo”, located in front of Ueno Station in central Tokyo, suddenly notified its employees of the closure of the sauna on November 28. Many of the employees have worked at the place for more than 10 years, with some for more than 20 years. However, they have had no unemployment insurance or workers’ compensation insurance, no annual leave, or no pay for overtime or extra for working in late hours or on holidays. They were asked to leave only with a basic monthly salary, without any severance pay. The Tamayama, or Chang, family, the owner family, is going to abandon long-time customers and employees very easily. The employees formed the “Ojo Union” as an affiliate of the Haken (Dispatched Workers) Union on November 17 in order to defend their workplace. Your support is highly appreciated. (Haken Union) Blog of the Ojo Union


上野駅前「サウナ王城」の従業員が閉鎖の撤回求めて立ち上がる!
11月3日、上野駅浅草口目の前「サウナ王城」で働く従業員に対し、経営者は突然「11月28日で事業所を閉鎖する」と通告しました。従業員には勤続20年以上の人をはじめ、10年以上の人が何人もいます。しかし、雇用保険・労災保険未加入、有給休暇が取得できない、時間外・休日・深夜割増賃金も支払われないなどの問題が山積み。退職金もなしに「基本給1ヶ月分を払うから辞めてくれ」という退職勧奨が行われました。経営者である玉山(張)一族は、長年のお客さんと従業員をいとも簡単に切り捨てようとしています。サウナ王城の従業員は、職場を守るため17日、派遣ユニオンの分会として「王城ユニオン」を結成し、閉鎖の撤回を求めて闘っています。ご支援よろしくお願いします。(派遣ユニオン)・王城ユニオンのブログ

“Waiting for an answer from Transport Minister” ? Nov. 26 rally for solving mass firing of railway workers


The “Nov. 26 Rally for Solving Mass Firing of Railway Workers” was held at the Seiryo Kaikan Hall from 17:30 on November 26, 2009. It was hosted by four groups for demanding a political solution of the dismissal of 1,047 former National Railway workers. The number of the dismissed members of struggle groups and their families who joined the rally reached 365, the biggest ever. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party, the People’s New Party, Komeito (Clean Government Party) and the Japanese Communist Party also participated in the rally as guests. Nihei Hisakatsu, chairperson of the Joint Struggle Congress, emphasized that a solution is nearing, saying, “We have passed our demand for the solution of the mass firing problem to the Transport Minister through a congressperson of the DPJ. It is to request the solution to be concluded by February 16, 2010 so that every dismissed former railway worker can make a living, and we have specifically informed JR (Japanese Rail) of the number of persons to be employed and the amount of the settlement. Now it is the turn of the minister to make a decision”. (M)


「国交大臣にボールは投げた」~JR不採用問題の解決にむけた11・26集会
 11月26日午後5時半から、東京・星陵会館で「JR不採用問題の解決にむけた11・26集会」が開催された。4者4団体の主催で、1047名国鉄労働者の解雇問題の政治解決をめざす重要な集会だった。上京した被解雇者の闘争団・家族の数は365名に達し、過去最大の動員となった。演壇には、民主・社民・国民新・公明・共産の5党の国会議員が来賓として並んだ。経過報告のなかで、二瓶久勝共闘会議議長は「われわれの解決要求は、民主党の議員を通して、国交大臣に伝えてある。路頭に迷わない内容で来年2月16日までに解決してくれ、というもので、JRなどへの雇用を希望する人数・解決金の金額など具体的に伝えてある。こちらはボールを投げた。あとは国交大臣の決断を待つだけである」と述べ、解決が近づいていることを強調した。(M)

Rediscovering workers’ culture of the 1950s ? Activities of Shimo-Maruko Culture Group


 Ota Ward in Tokyo is famous for many small factories. However, it is little known that there used to be many cultural activities in the area. It is said that, during the 1950s, youths working at small factories wrote poems, sang songs and voluntarily created picture-story shows in the southern district of Tokyo (Ota, Shinagawa and Minato Wards). Many songs, such as “No A Bomb”, were created in over 200 groups there. An event “Younger Days in Southern Tokyo ? Reviving Cultural Activities of the 1950s” was held on November 23, 2009 in Ota Ward to commemorate a reprint of a magazine of the Shimo-Maruko Culture Group”. (Anzai Tetsuo)


1950年代の労働者文化を再発見する~下丸子文化集団のサークル運動
 東京の大田区は都内のなかでも町工場が多いところとして有名だ。だが、そこでサークル運動が盛んだった、ということはあまり知られていない。1950年代の東京南部(大田・品川・港区)では文化サークル運動が盛んで、町工場ではたらく若者たちが詩を書き、皆とうたをうたい、芝居を自主制作していた、という。当時、南部には200を超えるサークルがあったというが、そこから「原爆を許すまじ」などのうたが生まれていった。11月23日、大田区を中心に活動した「下丸子文化集団」のサークル誌が不二出版から復刻出版されたことを記念して、地元・大田区で「東京南部の青春―いま甦る1950年代サークル運動の世界」という催しがあった。(安齋徹雄)

Making area in front of Nike HQ a public space ? Performing against takeover of park


 At noon on November 20, 2009, about 70 persons gathered in front of the headquarters of Nike Japan in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo to protest against a virtual takeover of Miyashita Park in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo by the multinational corporation. They made the area a public space like the park by relaxing, playing music and performing in various costumes that expressed blue tents and trees there. The protest was eventually joined by homeless people in Shibuya, and all the participants delivered leaflets describing this problem to employees of Nike that has set fences for construction and attempted to expel anyone from the park, and to passers-by during lunchtime, appealing the emergent situation. (N)


ナイキ本社前を宮下公園化しました!~買収に抗議してパフォーマンス
 11月20日正午、東京・渋谷区にある宮下公園のナイキによる実質の買収に疑問をもつ人々70名近くが、品川区にあるナイキジャパン本社前に集まり抗議行動を繰り広げました。集まった人々はピクニックの様にレジャーシートを敷いてくつろいだり、ギターを引いて音楽を楽しんだり、ブルーテントや樹々を模したコスプレの若者達が、それぞれに個性豊かなパフォーマンスを繰り広げ、まるでナイキ本社前にひと時の「宮下公園」を作り出していました。同時に冷え込みが始まった渋谷で野宿生活を続ける当該の方々も結集して、工事の為のフェンスをはり、実質の排除をしようと試みるナイキとランチタイムに行き交う従業員の人たちに向けてビラをまき、マイクで切迫した状況を訴えました。(N)

The Intellectually Disabled Form a Union to Win Cancellation of Office Closure and Dismissal of All Employees


 On November 12, the Forum Engineering Chapter of the National Union of General Workers (NUGW)-Tokyo East established around 24 intellectually disabled workers held a media briefing at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to announce that we had succeeded in having the company management withdraw the decision to close the office and dismiss all employees. President Madono said, "When I heard the news (decision of dismissal) at first, I was afraid that the employees would lose means of living since many of them (working at that establishment) lived in a group home or company dormitory. However, we could make it withdrawn by joining the union. We appreciate encouragement we received from a lot of supporters. Thank you so much." The person in charge at the union headquarters said, "I would like to appreciate the management that sincerely listened to our appeal." At the end of the briefing, all participants joined in a chant for solidarity and fighting spirit (See thephoto). (Mitsuteru Suda at NUGW - Tokyo East) (Visit the blog.)

知的障害者が組合結成!~事業所閉鎖と全員解雇の撤回かちとる
 知的障害者24人を中心に結成した私たち全国一般東京東部労組フォーラムエンジニアリング支部は11月12日、厚生労働省で記者会見を開き、事業所閉鎖と全員解雇の撤回を会社側から勝ちとったことを明らかにしました。間殿(まどの)委員長は「はじめにこの話(解雇)を聞いた時はグループホームや寮の人が(事業所には)たくさんいるので生活できなくなると思いましたが、組合に入り撤回することができました。たくさんの方の応援をいただき、ありがとうございました」と発言しました。組合本部の担当者は「私たちの訴えに誠実に耳を傾けてくれた会社経営陣を評価したい」と話しました。会見の最後には全員で団結ガンバロウの声をあげました(写真)。(東京東部労組・須田光照)・当該ブログ

Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Goes Ahead with "Recurrence Prevention Training" on Nezu and Kawarai --- Supporters Stage Action of Furor


 On November 11, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education went ahead with "recurrence prevention training" on Ms. Kimiko Nezu and Ms. Junko Kawarai shortly after it imposed punishment on them with six-month suspension for their refusal to stand up and sing Kimigayo, the national anthem of Japan (in a graduation ceremony at school). Early in the morning, despite downpour of rain, about 40 supporters gathered at the Metropolitan Teacher Training Center at Suidobashi to raise voices in protest. With no reason given for the training and no response made to several instances of appeal action, their furor toward the board of education was boiling. On this day again, they had a letter of request prepared to be totally ignored. The representative of the Association against Dismissal for Kimigayo attempted to enter the premises of the Center, saying "At least you should receive this," the board personnel hurriedly formed a human barricade. In push and shove at the entrance, they eventually received the request though unwillingly.
(M) Photo: Tokyo residents with placards 


都教委、根津・河原井さんへ「再発防止研修」強行~支援者は怒りのアクション
 11月11日、君が代不起立で6ヶ月の停職処分をされたばかりの根津公子さん・河原井純子さんに対して、都教委は「再発防止研修」を強行した。どしゃぶりの雨にもかかわらず、早朝から支援者約40名が水道橋・都教員研修センターに集まり、抗議の声を上げた。一切研修の理由も示さず、数度にわたる要請にも応えない都教委に対する怒りは沸点をこえていた。この日も要請書を持参したが、まったく無視する態度。「受け取るくらいしてほしい」と「解雇させない会」の代表が、センター内に入ろうとすると都教委職員は慌てて人間バリケードをつくった。入口で揉めるなか、都教委はしぶしぶ要請書を受けとらざるをえなかった。(M) *写真=一都民がプラカード

Anger Manifested at Irresponsible Attitude of the Hatoyama Administration --- Rally in front of the Diet building with Okinawan Delegate


 During lunch break on November 10, 100 citizens got together in front of the Second Diet Members' Building for the House of Representatives to stage a rally "Article Nine Revision Blocking Association's Nov 10 Diet Building Sit-in." The Okinawan delegate unanimously expressed their anger at the irresponsible behavior of the Hatoyama administration concerning the policy toward Futenma Airbase. Mr. Ashitomi, representing Nago Council against the Helicopter Base Construction in Okinawa, expressed strong anger saying, "What's going on in the mind of Foreign Affairs Minister Okada when he mentioned his plan for integration of Futenma Base with Kadena Base happening? What is Prime Minister Hatoyama thinking about when he tolerated it?" The delegate's appeal action toward the Hatoyama administration and Diet members takes place on November 10 and 11 as President Obama's visit to Japan is scheduled on November 13. (Masanori Yumoto) See animation (Uniontube).


鳩山内閣の無責任さに怒り露わ~沖縄上京団迎え国会前集会
 11月10日昼、衆議院第2議員会館前には100名が集まり、沖縄の11・8県民大会上京団を迎え「9条を守り、憲法改悪を許さない11・10国会前集会」が開催された。沖縄の上京団は異口同音に、鳩山内閣の普天間基地政策をめぐる無責任さに怒りを露わにしていた。これまでずっと普天間基地県内移設候補に挙げられてきた辺野古の「ヘリ基地反対協議会」代表委員、安次富(あしとみ)さんは、「普天間基地の嘉手納基地統合案を語る外務大臣の頭の中は、一体どうなっているのか? その発言を許した鳩山首相は、一体何を考えているのか!」と強い怒りの意志を表明した。上京団は13日のオバマ米大統領来日を前に、10~11日と鳩山内閣をはじめ国会議員への要請を行なう。(湯本雅典)動画(UnionTube)

Five Hundred Demonstrators in Tokyo Protest the US Embassy in Solidarity with Okinawans against Base Construction in Henoko


With the issue of extra-prefectural transfer of Futenma Airbase in Okinawa developing rapidly in the wake of the approach of November 13 visit of President Obama to Japan, 500 citizens in Tokyo got together at 2:00 p.m., November 8, in Mizutanibashi Park, the Ginza, to march through downtown Tokyo in solidarity with the Okinawa People's Rally against Base Construction in Henoko that was concurrently held. The Tokyo rally was organized by the executive committee for preventing base construction in Henoko. With dugong-shaped huge balloons pt up and in various eye-catching costumes, they appealed to citizens out on Sunday streets of central Tokyo with chants, "Don't kill the sea of dugons!"and "Out with US bases in Okinawa!" After once disbanded in Hibiya Park,they gathered again in front of the US embassy for the rally representative to make appeal (TM at the reporting department) See animation on the Ginza demonstration.


11.8沖縄と連帯して東京で500名が「辺野古への基地建設を許さない」デモ・米大使館へ抗議
 13日のオバマ米大統領の訪日を前に沖縄普天間基地の県外移設問題が急展開するなか、11月8日、辺野古基地建設反対の沖縄県民集会に合わせて、東京でも市民500名が銀座・水谷橋公園に午後2時に集まり銀座など都心をデモ行進した。主催は辺野古への基地建設を許さない実行委員会。ジュゴンの形の大風船を掲げたり、さまざまな衣装で日曜の都心をジュゴンの海を死なせるな!沖縄の米軍基地は要ら
ないなどと市民に訴えた。日比谷公園でいったん解散のあと、アメリカ大使館前に再度集まり、代表が大使館に申し入れを行った。(報道部TM)・銀座デモ動画

Appeal Action at Musical Instrument Fair - Cort-Cortek Workers Union Korea and Freeters Union Fukuoka


 On November 7, at a musical instrument fair held at Pacifico Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, union members from Cort-Cortek Union Korea and Freeters Union Fukuoka staged publicity activities (see photo). Cort-Cortek Workers Union appealed for normalization of the plant now shut down and for dismissed employees' return to work. Freeters Union Fukuoka called for renewal of the employment conract for a piano instructor having worked for Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co., Ltd. as well as for collective bargaining, which appeals were addressed at both visitors and those companies. This action attracted artists from Korea and America and Japanese supporters, who enjoyed the lively time with vocal, instrumental and other performances. Among other things, improvised performance of the violin, pianica and horn, playing Arirang and Like Dandelion received cheers and applause. (Kuniko Ozawa)

楽器フェアでアピール~韓国コルト・コルテック労組とフリーターユニオン福岡

 11月7日、神奈川県のパシフィコ横浜で行われた楽器フェアで、韓国のコルト・コルテック労組と九州のフリーターユニオン福岡の仲間たちが、情宣活動を行なった(写真)。コルト・コルテック労組は、操業を停止している工場の正常化と被解雇労働者の職場復帰を訴え、またフリーターユニオン福岡は、河合楽器で働いていたピアノ講師の契約更新と団体交渉を要求して、アピールと申し入れ行動を行なった。行動には韓国やアメリカで活動している文化芸術家や日本の支援者たちがかけつけ、歌や演奏やパフォーマンスなどにぎやかに楽しく行われた。バイオリンとピアニカとホルンの「アリラン」と「たんぽぽのように」の演奏が即興で行われ、拍手喝采だった。(尾澤邦子)