Human Resources

Abstract

On 21 March 1996 the Japan Council of the International Metal Workers' Federation-Japan Council (IMF-JC) was offered a pay rise for its members (Table 3.1). It was a noteworthy event because the annual 'spring dispute' (shunto) over pay had become a mere ritual, and the labour unions had chosen secure employment over annual pay rises. The Japan Council is composed of the Japanese Electrical, Electronic and Information Union, the Japanese Federation of Iron and Steel Unions, the Japanese Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions, and the Confederation of Japanese Automobile Workers' Unions. The Japan Council thus exerts a strong influence over the pay rises demanded and received by other labour unions. The management of the Toyota Motor Corporation announced a monthly rise of 8700 yen, electrical workers were offered an average increase of 8827 yen, the Iron and Steel Unions got a 4500 yen rise, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries proposed an increase of 8700 yen, which was the highest in the shipbuilding and engineering industry. The members of the Japan Council accepted the proposed pay increases the following day.