WEEKLY RENGO No.414

"We can't accept the political intervention in the autonomy of industrial relations."
RENGO is prepared to fight against the prohibition of check-off.
(21 April 2000)

At its 7th Central Executive Committee, RENGO confirms that it will make every effort to block the prohibition of check-off, which is planning to be proposed to the current session of the Diet by the LDP.

1. Background

(1) On 30 March a LDP's committee on industrial relations' practice came up with the policy of prohibiting check-off. As this policy, which proposes revising the Labour Standards Law and the Trade Union Law, intervenes in the autonomy of industrial relations, RENGO immediately makes a protest statement that the prohibition of check-off is an outrage against basic trade union rights. At the same time RENGO requests the business circle, namely the Nikkeiren, for its support and holds an urgent meeting with Rengo-supported MPs for mutual understanding. RENGO also requests its member unions to understand RENGO's view and to make a proposal to enterprises and industry groups.

(2) The LDP's committee holds a meeting on 4 April. Although there are strong opposition and questions raised in the meeting as to the report by Mr. Kumashiro, the chairperson of the Committee, the prohibition of check-off is accepted as a conclusive prearranged plan for the executive in the LDP. A final decision is left to the LDP Executive Council. Then, the LDP proposes the prohibition of check-off to the Government parties. The new Komei Party and the new Conservative Party intend to organize a project team and to take the plan into consideration.

(3) Employers are opposing to the prohibition of check-off. Although there are some objectors even within the LDP, the LDP is never stopping bashing RENGO because the dissolution the following general election may take place in near future. The bill may be brought to the Diet even without the consensus among all the ruling parties.

2. Contents of the LDP-proposed bill

(1) The bill proposed by the LDP includes:
(a) Revising the Labour Standards Law to exclude union due from items that may be deducted from income by a collective agreement;
(b) Revising parts of the Trade Union Law so that it requests a trade union to report financial statement to its members and encourages it to publicize such report. Federations, confederations and councils of trade unions should meet this request. This clearly means the intervention in the autonomy of industrial relations and the application of the Organization Regulation Law to trade unions.

(2) The approval of this bill will justify the intervention of the government in industrial relations and the negation of basic trade union rights. A trade union should be free to make any decision by itself without any intervention, particularly of the authority. A trade union cannot remain democratic and independent if with such intervention.

2000 Spring Struggle: Results of wage raise
(As of 17 April 2000)

[Individual-specific wage scale (base-up only)]
*Base-up only

Sample
Simple average (yen)

Previous Wage Demanded for 2000
Conclude 2000 Agreed 1999

No. of unions No. of workers wage Raise* Wage Raise* Rate Wage Raise*

Age 35 122 1,080,559 309,167 311,403 2,734 309,645 479 0.15% 313,179 492

Age 30 34 60,102 283,923 286,632 2,709 284,259 336 0.12% 294,114 318

[Individual-specific wage scale (base-up and annual increment)]

Sample
Simple average (yen)

Previous Wage Demanded for 2000
Conclude 2000 Agreed 1999

No. of unions No. of workers wage Raise Wage Raise Rate Wage Raise

Age 35 116 277,243 295,868 304,535 8,667 302,220 6,352 2.15% 298,559 7,667

Age 30 105 366,667 268,601 277,576 8,601 274,663 6,061 2.26% 274,305 7,229

[Average wage hike]

Average per union worker (weighted average) Average per union (simple average)

No. of unions
No. of workers
Average age
Years of service
Average wage Demanded
2000
Conclude
2000 Agreed
1999
Age
Years of service
Average wage Demanded 2000
Conclude 2000 Agreed
1999

692 1,645,614 38.7 17.4 311,607 8,519 Amount Rate Amount
37.8

15.6

281,049
Amount
Amount Rate Amount

6,083 1.95% 6,508
8,389
5,099 1.81%
5,524

**[Individual-specific wage scale (base-up only)]**
*Base-up only
	Sample	Simple average (yen)
Previous Wage	Demanded for 2000	Conclude 2000	Agreed 1999
No. of unions	No. of workers	wage	Raise*	Wage	Raise*	Rate	Wage	Raise*
Age 35	122	1,080,559	309,167	311,403	2,734	309,645	479	0.15%	313,179	492
Age 30	34	60,102	283,923	286,632	2,709	284,259	336	0.12%	294,114	318

**[Individual-specific wage scale (base-up and annual increment)]**
	Sample	Simple average (yen)
Previous Wage	Demanded for 2000	Conclude 2000	Agreed 1999
No. of unions	No. of workers	wage	Raise	Wage	Raise	Rate	Wage	Raise
Age 35	116	277,243	295,868	304,535	8,667	302,220	6,352	2.15%	298,559	7,667
Age 30	105	366,667	268,601	277,576	8,601	274,663	6,061	2.26%	274,305	7,229

**[Average wage hike]**
	Average per union worker (weighted average)	Average per union (simple average)
No. of unions	No. of workers	Average age	Years of service	Average wage	Demanded 2000	Conclude 2000	Agreed 1999	Age	Years of service	Average wage	Demanded 2000	Conclude 2000	Agreed 1999
692	1,645,614	38.7	17.4	311,607	8,519	Amount	Rate	Amount	37.8	15.6	281,049	Amount	Amount	Rate	Amount
6,083	1.95%	6,508	8,389	5,099	1.81%	5,524

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