RENGO held its 2003 Spring Struggle Central Deliberation Rally in Tokyo from October 31 to November 1, with 600 participants from across the nation. The 2003 Spring Struggle Basic Concept includes four top-priority issues: (1) achieving economic recovery and job security, (2) securing a wage-curve and base wage increment, (3) improving working conditions and promoting equal treatment for part-time workers, and (4) abolishing unpaid overtime-work and pushing for shorter working hours. Furthermore, three Minimum Movement issues were established upon which every union will work. The Basic Concept seeks to enhance the unifying power of the labor union movement while at the same time aim for the results of negotiations to spillover into society. The Basic Concepts discussed at this rally are scheduled to be submitted to the 39th Central Committee as the "Struggle Principle."

 

Photo: Participants voice various opinions on demand standards. (Oct. 31, Tokyo)

President Sasamori gave an opening speech representing the organizers offering his opinions on by-election results for both chambers of the Diet, comprehensive deflation measures, and job conditions. Regarding the government's comprehensive anti-deflation measures disclosed on October 30, he said, "(we) do not understand the mechanism and financial resources at all. In particular, the lack of monetary resources means that more of the burden will be forced on the workers. A supplementary budget is a must," he added that it is necessary to compile a \17 trillion budget at the current Diet session.
He further emphasized that regarding the theme of this rally, the 2003 Spring Struggle Basic Concept, "job security is an even higher priority issue than last year." Continuing, he said that, " we seek negotiations and activities that return to the basic roles of a National Center, industrial federations, and corporate unions required for the 21st century-type Spring Struggle." At the same time he called on participants to vigorously debate how to proceed with struggles that bring about those four top-priority issues.

In the general discussion on the Basic Concept proposed by General Secretary Kusano, the following opinions asking for a clear presentation of demand standards stood out. "It is important to fortify and develop activities while showing demand standards (from ZENKOKU-IPPAN = National Union of General Workers)." Another opinion stated that "a measurement tool is needed to ascertain what resources are needed to maintain a wage curve (UI ZENSEN DOMEI = Japanese Federation of Textile, Garment, Chemical, Mercantile, Food and Allied Industries Workers' Unions)." Other opinions included; "when RENGO present its standards, a benchmark reference is sufficient (SERVICE RYUTSU RENGO = Japan Federation of Service Distributive Workers' Unions)."
Furthermore, there were opinions, which sought the improvement of treatment of part-time workers' and a preparatory stance for local RENGO. Vice President Koga responded to these by saying "as a general RENGO movement, we want to stress supporting and raising workers' wages." Vice President Takagi stated "the same kind of opinions have been presented up to now and we have repeated the debates. All we can do is conduct struggles that we can conduct together and spread the results."
In conclusion General Secretary Kusano summarized the discussion. RENGO plans to reveal the target number for average annual raise amounts as an indicator for securing a wage curve; part-time work issues will be the biggest topic to be targeted RENGO-wide; a committee has been established and is discussing the stance of local RENGO. Following that, the rally was adjourned.

On the second day of the rally, three workshops were held entitled, "Toward Securing a Wage Curve," "For Equal Treatment of Part-time Workers and Agreement on an Intra-Firm Minimum Wage," and "Abolishment of Unpaid Overtime and Agreement on Work Hour Management."