On January 19, RENGO held a regular meeting with NIKKEIREN at a hotel in Tokyo before full-scale discussions on the 2001 Spring Struggle. President Washio, Deputy President Enomoto, Secretary General Sasamori were among the members from RENGO, Chairman Okuda, Director General Fukuoka and others from NIKKEIREN also attended the meeting. Each side argued on pay hike issues without reaching any agreement. Ultimately, both sides decided to conduct joint research on the issue of work sharing.

Photo:Pay hike talks at a standstill (RENGO in background. Jan. 19)

President Washio began the discussion by saying that "economic conditions have improved at least over last year and corporate performance has recovered." He asked for "RENGO's demand standard to be frozen at last year's levels. We want you to understand and respond to our will." NIKKEIREN Chairman Okuda however, gave a different opinion saying, "as the economy has been facing a rather delicate situation since last fall so we need to be cautious."
Following that, Secretary General Sasamori explained RENGO's arguments based primarily on the RENGO White Paper. In his explanation Mr. Sasamori said, "RENGO will demand a 1% net pay raise necessary for economic development after ensuring that the wage curve will be maintained. RENGO has pushed shortening working hours and extending employment as the unifying issues for discussions on revising labor agreements. Further, we are also demanding a pay increase of over¥10 in hourly wages for part-time workers. Even though part-time workers are not union members we hope you understand this."
After that, NIKKEIREN Director General Fukuoka explained the "Labor Problem Inquiry Report" and the meeting proceeded to an opinion exchange.
From RENGO, President Suzuki of DENKI RENGO (Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Union) stated "in order to gain a common recognition, there is a need to arrange each side's points of agreement and disagreement." ZENSEN (Japanese Federation of Textile, Garment, Chemical, Mercantile, Food and Allied Industries Workers' Unions) President Takagi stated, "there should be no overtime-work without pay. It is crucial not to destabilize rules."
JOHO ROREN (Japan Federation of Telecommunications, Electronic Information and Allied Workers) President Tsuda said, "IT propulsion as a panacea is in fact going unmentioned. We must make a tough decision to secure sufficient employment." DENRYOKU SOREN (Confederation of Electric Power Related Industry Workers Union of Japan) President Tsumaki stated that " we are making efforts to hire workers over 60 years of age," and SHOGYO ROREN (Japan Federation of Commercial Workers' Unions) President Nagumo suggested that "we place importance on minimum wage issues. We ought to strengthen our efforts to improve work conditions for part-time laborers."
In addition, SHOKUHIN RENMEI (League of Japan Foods and Tobacco Workers Union) President Masuda remarked that "[management] should stop following the crowd with lower (pay raise) levels. We expect companies that can afford to pay more and to do so." KENSETSU RENGO (Japan Construction Trade Union Confederation) President Terasawa called for "establishing labor-management consultations by industry," and RENGO Vice President Morooka added that we find it necessary to "support balancing work and home free from male or female roles."
At that point, attendants from NIKKEIREN offered their opinions and finally President Washio gave his remarks. He confirmed that RENGO and NIKKEIREN would begin joint research on how to build social consensus for a Japanese-type of work sharing program.