On March 2, RENGO held the 3.2 Central Pep Rally for the 2001 Spring Struggle. 26,000 of our working comrades gathered at Tokyo's Meiji Park in the cold wind where we showed our resolve to face the Spring Struggle peak period.

Photo:President Washio called on supporters to "Face the
Spring Struggle with confidence and conviction" (2nd, Tokyo)

Representing the organizers, RENGO President Washio told the overflowing crowd to "face the Spring Struggle that has now reached a serious phase in negotiations with confidence and conviction." President Washio also displayed his resolve saying, "What has supported business up to now has been the diligent effort of the workers. Looking at the world economy, only Japan is facing the prospect of prolonged anxiety in the future. While economic organizations criticize the Spring Struggle as being slavish, and yet they are falling into line by depressing wages. In order to protect lifestyles we will enter into collective bargaining with an attitude of securing victory of our demands by all means."
Further, he criticized the government's current financial policies such as its cosmetic stock price measures, the gradual reduction of low interest rates, and wasteful financial policies "to restore the economy, there must be social security for stability." Finally, he called on attendees to "make an administration that will pass our demands in unity with opposition parties."
Continuing, RENGO Secretary General Sasamori gave a report on current conditions. Prefacing his report he stated, "this year's Spring Struggle is not going to settle for a few ¥100 coins!" He said that unions that have demanded pay raises should stubbornly follow through with their stance to gain base pay increases. Furthermore, he asked attendees to tackle this Spring Struggle with the same determination they would if it were the first political battle since RENGO was formed so that "working citizens will no longer be victims of government."
There were addresses from representatives of the three opposition parties (Democratic Party of Japan Vice-President Wakako Hironaka, Social Democratic Party Secretary General Sadao Fuchigami, Liberal Party Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Yamaoka) followed by affiliated organizations representatives who spoke of their determination to face the peak period. RENGO Vice President Tadayoshi Kusano (representing metals-related industries) reported that the seven JC (Japan Council of Metalworkers Unions) industrial federations endorsed that they would "obtain a clear base wage increase that reflects union members' prudent cooperation and effort deservedly and leads to a future energizing of lives." Further, RENGO Vice President Makoto Tsubone representing transportation-related industries said that they were "strengthening actions to raise wage levels including a change in demand methods." RENGO Central Executive Committee Member Shigeru Masuda representing food industries said, "industries' conditions are tough, however we will use all our efforts to negotiate a raise in the social status of the wage standard in the food industries."
The rally adopted the appeal "Push Discussion with Unwavering Resolve." Finally, RENGO Deputy President Tsuneo Enomoto closed the rally solidifying their collective will by leading the crowd in three cheers.