Japanese base workers protest pay-cut plan [View All]

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A Japanese base worker shows his identification card to pass through picket lines manned by Zenchuro labor unionists in front of the Yokosuka Naval Base Main Gate on Wednesday. Essential workers such as security forces, firemen and hospital workers were allowed on base in spite of the strike.


Japanese base workers protest pay-cut plan
By Hana Kusumoto and Chiyomi Sumida, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, November 23, 2007

Wednesday’s half-day strike by Japanese base workers to protest their government’s plan to cut their salaries involved a little shoving and yelling at base gates, but mostly remained calm.

The strike, called by Zenchuro — or the Japan Garrison Forces Labor Union — lasted four hours and began at the start of the workday of each worker.

At most bases, union members picketed outside the gates, urging Japanese workers to join the strike and sometimes blocking them from reporting to work.

U.S. personnel and contractors were able to enter the bases. Mission-essential Japanese workers, such as guards and firefighters, worked as usual on Wednesday.

“All critical operations proceeded as normal” on U.S. military installations, said Air Force Col. Eric Schnaible, a U.S. Forces Japan spokesman at Yokota Air Base.

At Yokosuka Naval Base, union members checked IDs of those walking toward the base. Some workers turned around and walked away, after being told by union members that they shouldn’t enter the base.


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50458