News
Japan Automobile Workers’ Unions celebrates 40th anniversary
At the 41st Convention on Jaw in Tokyo, UNI Global Union General Secretary, Philip Jennings said that JAW had embraced the theme of “Breaking Through”, introduced at the UNI World Congress in Nagasaki in 2010, which was underpinning its successful organising drive.
Jennings added that Japan’s success in the future would be strongly linked with the rest of the world and that inclusivity or “Including You” – the theme of the next UNI World Congress in 2014 – was the way to build sustainable economic success.
41st Convention of JAW
The Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers’ Unions
Tokyo, September 6-7, 2012
Speech by Philip J. Jennings, General Secretary of UNI Global Union
“Dear colleagues,
It is an honour for me to convey solidarity greetings from UNI Global Union to the 41st Convention of JAW, on this special occasion of your 40th anniversary.
In my country, Wales, it is said that life begins at 40.
I have arrived here from China, where Confucius wrote at 40: 'I had no doubts.'
As JAW’s life begins at 40, let us have no doubts about our union goals. We are committed to union growth.
The UNI World Congress in Nagasaki in 2010 met under the theme Breaking Through for union growth.
JAW, you are a Breaking Through union. You can deliver the 25,000 new members through your new plan.
You have organising opportunities in sales, services, dealers, driving schools, shipping companies and non regular workers.
With a Breaking Through spirit, you will win.
UNI has a plan for Asia and the world. Here in Japan the plan is to grow to 1.1 million members.
In China I met with top leaders and rank and file. They have a new organising strategy to grow. They are targeting the Fortune top 500 and winning.
Our efforts must be global.
Japanese overseas business investment is at record highs in production and services. Companies are forever looking to cut costs and locate manufacturing in the proximity of new markets.
Global supply chains must not be at the cost of competence and capacity here at home. Extreme hollowing out now will handicap you in the future.
Global supply chains require that global businesses work with Global Unions like UNI and IndustriALL.
UNI and IndustriALL are now the two super Global Unions, powerful in our struggle for union rights and decent work.
As Global Unions, we seek global dialogue with companies and together we have close to 100 global agreements.
We have Japan's first, with Takashimaya. Let us have many more. We welcome the global agreement at Ford.
A global dialogue for a responsible business must be based on a seat at the table and 'Including You' in the benefits.
'Including you' will be the theme of our 2014 Cape Town Congress. We want to win the case for the principle of 'Including You' to drive the new economic era. This week’s WEF Global Competitiveness Report shows that many of the top performers are countries that have put 'Including You' into practice.
Thank you for your brilliant support in Nagasaki.
Friends, four months after our Congress, we were mourning the shocking loss of loved ones, homes, communities, jobs, as a result of the great Japan earthquake.
We congratulate you on the massive recovery effort and that once again the Tohoku auto plant is working.
So many lessons to learn.
This year is another anniversary: the 50th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis. Then, we came close to nuclear Armageddon. Today, the danger is ever present.
At UNI we repeat our Nagasaki message for a world free of nuclear weapons. No more Nagaski! No more Hiroshima!
In closing, we are united in our work on sales and services, and have so much more to do.
Let's build on our joint union win for Malaysian car dealers.
Brother Aihara, congratulations on becoming President. We are here to do all in our power to help you succeed.
Brother Nishihara, enjoy your new IndustriALL responsibilities. In this Asian economic powerhouse, the stakes are high. We must not loose. In a strong partnership with UNI Apro, every effort must be made to grow unions.
JAW: a new life at 40, with no doubts and ready to win. That's a strong happy birthday message.
Thank you.”
Philip Jennings, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, cheering "Gambaro"
Christopher Ng, Regional Secretary of UNI Apro, congratulating JAW
Breaking the ceremonial sake barrel to celebrate JAW's 40th anniversary
More pictures may be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uniglobalunion/sets/72157631516224428/