The 26th Annual Congress of JRU Concluded Successfully

On 6-7 June, JRU held the 26th annual congress in Tokyo, where we mapped out the union line for the future. More than 450 delegates and observers from affiliated unions nationwide joined the discussion.

We held a lively discussion mainly on the following issues for 2 days
First, we decided to continue to fight against union busting and support JRU7 and Mr. Kato, alleged defendants of JR Urawa Train Depot Case and JR Gamagoori Station Case. The cases are going to be tried in the Supreme Court of Japan. Our target is to win their acquittal and reinstatement, and to sound a warning against the society of rampant false charges.

Secondly, promoting peace and democracy. Prime Minister Hatoyama stepped down on 2 June after less than 9 months after taking office. He failed to carry out his campaign pledge to remove a U.S. base from Okinawa We continue to urge the new government to enhance its efforts in promoting eternal peace and democracy.

Thirdly, tackling the challenges caused by neo-liberal globalization. In the global financial recession, a number of workers, most of whom are temp workers, have been marginalized and sacked like disposables. Wages and working conditions have deteriorated. The annual number of suicide victims in Japan has been more than 30,000 for these 12 consecutive years. Workers are forced to pay the cost of the global financial crisis. We need to improve working conditions and secure employment for all workers especially for non-regular workers, and we also demand regular jobs for precariously employed workers.

Lastly, in order to meet these challenges we need to seat the candidate in the Upper House election scheduled to be conducted in July. Our candidate, Kaoru Tashiro is an officer of JRU, and used to pipe water and help children get access to education and medical care in a war-torn Afghanistan. We pledged to concentrate our effort in this election campaign.

There was an election in the Congress to choose directors. The three key officials got reelected and will remain in office for two years.

President Masaharu Takei
Vice President Takashi Demura
Vice President Mitsuhiro Hagiwara
General Secretary Kanji Kamada