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UNI Apro Commerce's "NO" to union busting of SSUA AOKI Workers' Union

Published: 12 October 2010
Google translate: 

 The 10th UNI-APRO Commerce Sector Committee Meeting passed the resolution on Support to SSUA AOKI Workers’ Union, Japan during its meeting held in Jakarta from 27 and 28th September 2010.



SSUA AOKI Workers’ Union, which is affiliated to UI ZENSEN, faces unfair union busting by its management. The Company threatens union members by various measures. For instance, the management forces union members to disaffiliate the Union, threatening them they will be transferred unless they leave the Union. The union appealed the domination and interference by the management to the local labour commission according to the legal procedure, seeking immediate stoppage of unfair labour practice by the management and restoring workers’ rights. At the same time, the Union requested a collective bargaining to the management, which is legitimate rights of workers, to find voluntary resolution through negotiation. However, the management has refused collective bargaining and continued union busting. Though many members of affiliated unions of UI ZENSEN joined protest actions in front of the Company and residence of the employer three times so far, the management never listens to the Union.



AOKI is a national chain retail company which operates 416 men’s wear shops and employs 4500 workers. Though the Union represented 1700 workers in the Company, the membership has decreased to 266 due to unfair labour practice by the management.



The AOKI management’s unfair practice is not only a serious violation of workers’ rights in Japan but also challenge to all retail workers in Asia who struggle for establishing democratic and autonomous industrial relations.



All affiliates of UNI-APRO Commerce regret the action of the Company and urges the Management to engage in serious negotiation to find an amicable solution.



The 10th UNI Apro Commerce Sector Committee meeting resolves that UNI Apro Commerce will extend all possible support to the AOKI workers and call upon all UNI affiliates to provide solidarity support as and when requested by UI Zensen.