Japanese base workers protest pay-cut plan

[unhappycamper]

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

[MADem]

1. Ten percent pay cut--BUMMER!

Last month, the Ministry of Defense proposed to abolish Japanese workers’ allowances, which make up about 10 percent of monthly paychecks. The allowances are pay incentives built into each worker’s salary. The extra pay is meant to compensate individuals for working in a different cultural environment and to reward people for using English on the job.

The decision to abolish allowances — an $88.8 million annual cost — came amid the streamlining of government spending, ministry officials said.

Japan employs the workers and provides the work force to the U.S. military as part of an agreement between Japan and the United States. Under the bilateral accord, such a change must be agreed to by the United States.

Many on strike expressed their concerns over potential cuts of a big chunk of their paychecks at once.....As of September, 25,530 Japanese were employed at 55 U.S. military installations throughout the country.