(Union News "Daily DORO CHIBA" No.6131,)(Japanes)

JAPAN NATIONAL SOLIDARITY RALLY FOR DISMISSED 1047 JNR WORKERS

HIBIYA OUTDOOR MUSIC HALL FILLED WITH 5800 WORKERS AND SUPPORTERS

HIBIYA OUTDOOR MUSIC HALL FILLED WITH 5800 WORKERS AND SUPPORTERS

"Withdraw Dismissals Of 1047 Japan National Railway Workers! Let's Show Our Solidarity For Plaintiffs Fighting For Their Jobs Back!" - Japan National Solidarity Rally For Dismissed 1047 JNR Workers was held in 15 July 2005 at Hibiya Outdoor Music Hall. 5800 of workers, trade unionists and citizens got together and renewed their resolution for victory and unity.
The Rally began with the powerful opening speech by KANAZAWA, chair of West ZENROKYO, leftwing national centre of trade unions in Japan: "I support the fight of Sogidan and Tosodan (groups of dismissed workers) who are demanding the withdrawal of their 1047 dismissals. The division and privatization of state-run Japan National Railway (JNR), sacking of workers and second sacking from JNR Settlement Corporation were all done for weakening class struggle and trade union movement in JNR. Now, Postal Privatization Bill, Self Defense Force (Japanese troop)'s dispatch to Iraq... we are standing at the cross road of our history. We have variety of people coming from lots of different trade unions regardless of the difference of streams and political traditions. I can see an indication of new tendency here. Our fight begins here. I want all of you to grow this new tendency. Let's make it bigger!"

PRIVATIZATION KILLS! NO RESISTANCE, NO SAFETY! FIGHT FOR JUSTICE!
REINSTATE 1047 LIVING EYEWITNESSES OF UNFAIR LABOUR PRACTICES!
THAT IS THE WAY TO RECLAIM THE RAILWAY!

TAKAISHI and NAKAMURA from our DORO-CHIBA group of dismissed workers who gave speeches

Then, those calling the rally had speeches:
"No resistance, no safety. If there had been no division and privatization of the national railway, there should not be accidents at Amarube, Shigaraki and Amagasaki. Rationalization kills. Workers have to show their guts. Let's win a victory".
"The fight against dismissals is the fight for justice. Comrades in dismissed workers' group and supporters give us fighting spirits".
"As overcoming the difficulty together, we have enriched the quality and volume of our unity".
"This is one step forward to the withdrawal of dismissals. I keep fighting to support 1047 workers and their families together with comrades in the plaintiffs and supporters".
"Division and privatization kill people. We should have prevented them before the accidents have actually happened. JR West, one of divided and privatized JNR and had the fatal accident in its area, restarted its train running after claiming 5-Point Safety Improvement Plan. But it cannot ensure the safer railway as it mentions nothing about the problem of its attitude neglecting safety derived from the Division and Privatization. They cannot have safer rails unless otherwise solving its unfair labour practices and its policy to treat workers. Reinstating 1047 workers, living witnesses of unfair labour practices, it is the proper direction to have safer railways. Otherwise, we can have another Amagasaki accident somewhere sometime."
Then we have special reports. Takao SAITO, journalist, reported on "JR Amagasaki accident and 1047 workers dismissal problem". Tony DONAGHEY, president of British railway union RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) gave a solidarity speech and said "There is no boundaries as to privatization and globalization. So we have to fight back internationally". Shinsuke KATOH, barrister, reports on the Tekken-Kodan case (lawsuit against the Railway Construction Corporation) which will expect judgment on 15 September.
Soon, we will have a decision for Tekken-Kodan case. Three dismissed workers groups for KOKURO union, ZENDORO union and DORO-CHIBA union have made resolutions and said we need to use this big rally as a lever for victory and we will win the sentence that clearly states unfair labour practices.

OUR FIGHT FOR SAFETY DRIVING HAS AN IMPACT TO ACCUSE DIVIDED & PRIVATIZED RAILWAY SYSTEM. THE JNR 1047 FIGHT HAS A DIRECT INFLUENCE TO WEAKEN JR RULING.

marched in the very centre of Tokyo metropolitan area

A comrade in KOKURO group of dismissed workers told from the platform: "We are confronting the central government to accept our demand. We want to fight so as not to regret it later". A family member in ZENDORO group of dismissed workers said: "In December last year, the Supreme Court sentenced 'No responsibility for JR Companies' with majority of just one single vote. We cannot lose here". Leader of KOKURO Tekken-Kodan suit said: "We have been supported by comrades all over Japan for 18 years since 1987, despite the Headquarter of KOKURO union has been betraying much more now than before. We'll keep fighting if it is unfair sentence".
The 380 plaintiffs of Tekken-Kodan case will fight for the final victory. And it was TAKAISHI and NAKAMURA from our DORO-CHIBA group of dismissed workers who gave speeches: "We stood up for Tekken-Kodan suit in December last year. DORO-CHIBA union struck twice against the division and privatization at the time of privatization and led the fight. In retaliation, they sent us to JNR Settlement Corporation and sacked me twice. We have fought as members of "JNR 1047", and now, have more people to join the rallies than before. DORO-CHIBA started safety driving fight since 25 May, a month after the fatal Amagasaki Accident. For the past 40 days, train drivers have kept safety driving despite being under severe watch and pressure by JR East Company. In JR East, safety has been almost collapsed: rail tracks have been broken, worn away, and cracked. After our demand, they finally started to replace rail tracks. We have to keep up fighting. We believe that building up JNR 1047 fight, confronting and weakening JR East Company - that is the best way and our last chance to get back our jobs."
In the end, all the participants approved the Rally Motion, and marched in the very centre of Tokyo metropolitan area. It was the basic fighting we have to stick to, in order not to repeat fatal disaster in Amagasaki.

DORO-CHIBA (DC): National Railway Motive Power Union of CHIBA
Email: doro-chiba@doro-chiba.org
Web: https://doro-chiba.org/

DORO-CHIBA