RENGO endorsed its 2nd Urgent Policy for 2001 Spring Struggle at the 2nd Central Struggle Committee held on January 12. Included are the procedures for the struggle, such as establishing the peak period for March 14-16, and holding a rally by part-time workers for the submission of a demand for a pay hike.

1. The Current State of Affairs

(1) Economy/Business

The real GDP from July to September 2000 marked an 0.2% increase (according to preliminary data) over the same quarter last year showing that the economy is not recovering steadily. Looking at the items of demand, investment in private equipment showed an increase, consumer spending and exports remained flat and public demand showed negative growth. The government projects a 1.2% increase for real GDP in the 2000 fiscal year and a 1.7% increase in 2001.
Yet, corporate performance has been improving over all with current profits in the first half of FY 2000 at 30% above the same period a year earlier. The latter half is expected to continue improving ending with a 15% growth in current profits over the fiscal year 2000. (According to the Bank of Japan's "Tankan survey," a short-term economic survey of the principal enterprises in Japan.)

(2) Employment/Standard of Living

Total unemployment in November 2000 was 4.8% with the current employment circumstances remaining severe. Reflecting a recovery in production activities, the number of employed turned to an increase. However, most of that number represented part-time and other workers and it was not combined with the increase of regular employees.
On the other hand, workers' household income has not yet improved despite hitting bottom. According to November's household budget survey, actual incomes showed negative growth of 0.1% and the disposable incomes remained at a 0.6% increase.
Worker household consumption also continues to remain stagnant at minus 3.0%.

2. Attitudes in Employers' Organization

NIKKEIREN (the Japan Federation of Employers' Associations) released its "Labor Issue Committee Report" at its extraordinary general meeting on January 12. The report claimed all the same ideas of controlling pay hikes saying, "in the light of maintaining global competitiveness, further increases of wage standards is difficult." This year's report especially lacks an analysis of current macro-economy conditions centering on an emphasis of "philosophy" and "micro-economy logic." KEIDANREN displayed a lack of social responsibility as a management organization by neglecting to mention ways to revive economy or the role of the upcoming Spring Struggle.

3. Procedure for the Struggle

(1) Submitting Demands

Each union will proceed with preparations in accordance with RENGO's principle to "seek to submit demands by the end of February." RENGO will conduct the first demand summary in late February.
For submission, efforts will be made to share the most detailed information possible regarding actual wage conditions in each union at the industrial liaison councils.

(2) Activities to Maintain Wage Curves

So that "ensuring the maintenance of wage curves" are a fixture in pre-negotiations, we will hold study meetings and workshops from January at each industrial federation, industrial liaison council, and local RENGO to ensure that everyone fully understands the principle.
RENGO will try to spread awareness especially at small to mid-sized unions for "no wage systems, but instead a wage curve," by pushing forward with activities that utilize RENGO's "How To Create a Wage Curve" (a wage negotiation manual for small to mid-sized unions).
RENGO will work on a social campaign development to create a climate to strengthen activities in the pre-negotiation phase.

(3) Pay Hikes for Part Time Workers

Discussions will be conducted at industrial liaison councils to support activities for submission of a demand to raise part time workers pay. At the same time, each union and local RENGO will seek to create demands that relate to each organization's real conditions.
RENGO will call for across the board participation in February's "Part Time Workers' Rally" to strengthen social appeal and solidarity.

(4) Activities to Shorten Working Hours/Extend Employment

With regard to shortening working hours, centering on how each union is improving premium rates for overtime work it is necessary to get a good grasp of the conditions of each union's activities and discuss concrete countermeasures at the labor condition representatives meetings.
For extending employment periods, summarize each union's activity status at the national conference for representatives on employment issues to be held on January17-18 and hold a seminar on February 6 to spread our principles to everyone and to support each union.

(5) Establishing the Peak and Receiving Answers

RENGO set the Intensive Answer Period for this year's Spring Struggle from March 14 to 23. The 14th to the 16th will be the peak and each industrial federation will try to have as many unions as possible get answers during this period centering mainly on the major unions.
To do this, we will coordinate with unions expecting their answers during the peak period at the Expanded Tactical Committee on February 6 after adjustments have been made at each industrial liaison council, and then finalization will be made at the Committee on February 27.

4. Activities to Achieve Policy/System Demands

(1) Activities to Achieve Policy/System Tasks (edited)

(2) Establishing "General Action Month"

Declare February to be the "Secure Life, Stabilize Employment-General Action for a Better Society Month." Push ahead intensively with mass movements to achieve demands working closely together with RENGO Headquarters, affiliate organizations and local RENGO. Deploy general actions including a petition for RENGO demands to be presented at the Diet to coincide with the peak of the budgetary debate in the House of Representatives in late February.