Photo: Representatives from local RENGO also participated. (March 26, Tokyo.)

On March 26 during the latter part of the 1999 Spring Struggle, RENGO waged actions regarding its demands, conducted actions in the streets, and held a Central Pep Rally. Every year in March RENGO held the "Small to Mid-sized Unions Declarative Rally" until last year. However, this year, in order to support unions that have yet to reach settlements and small to mid-sized unions, all RENGO was involved with this work under the tough conditions of a general tendency toward late settlement negotiations for advanced unions.

On March 26, 3,000 participants attended the "3/26 Central Rally for Demands and Settlements" on a drizzly night in Hibiya, Tokyo. RENGO Deputy President Enomoto spoke on behalf of organizers calling on "Advanced Unions at least halted the fall of minimum wages in these unprecedented harsh conditions. The struggle has yet to become critical. Bring the battle from the major unions to the small to mid-sized ones, and then to the public sector workers and keep faith till the end."
General Secretary Sasamori reported "the results so far is approximately ¥7,000 of pay hike, of which ¥800 is the raise for the average wage level. We rejected Nikkeiren's (The Japan Federation of Employers' Association) mistaken idea of no-growth wage levels and achieved a wage hike slightly over the minimum demands of all but a few unions." Then, displaying resolution, he stated "on April 6, we will present our minimum level. And we will fight with the might of all of RENGO's 8 million workers including small to mid-sized and local unions."
Afterward, RENGO Vice President Hattori, Small to Mid-sized Joint Struggle Center Representative offered his determination stating the "final showdown for small to mid-sized unions will come in April. RENGO, affiliated organizations, and local RENGO are preparing for battle, let's fight to the end of all-out war." Public Sector Liaison Council Representative Maruyama stated, "there will be no pay hike for the public sector if small to mid-sized firms cannot make it." Eight local RENGO from the Kanto area also gave one-minute appeals. Finally, the rally closed by adopting the appeal "Let's Push for it!" and Vice President Kochiyama led the crowd in a series of cheers.

Small to Mid-sized Unions Central Action Day

In the afternoon of the same day, actions took place for the Small to Mid-sized Unions Central Action Day. Members from each local RENGO in the Kanto Bloc visited and took action for RENGO demands to the Ministry of Labor, the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, Nikkeiren, the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the National Federation of Small Business Associations. The content of the demands varied depending on the places they visited. The main issues included correcting imbalances in working conditions, thoroughly publicizing the Amended Labor Standard Act, and giving guidance on the problem of small to mid-sized firms withdrawing from Social Security. After gathering for the Small to Mid-sized Unions Central Action Development Rally, members then went to the four major railway stations in Tokyo and appealed to Tokyoites returning home for the successful achievement of RENGO demands.