Photo: "Let the Struggle show our power," says President Sasamori.

On February 8, RENGO held its "2002 Spring Struggle: 2.8 Struggle Kick-Off Declaration Rally" at Tokyo Kose Nenkin Kaikan Hall in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Approximately 2000 people gathered for the rally under the slogan "Accomplish Wages and Jobs." From this day of the rally, RENGO will further strengthen its 2002 Spring Struggle activities that aim to create safe and stable living standards, employment, and society.

At the outset, President Sasamori represented the organizers in a speech asking participants packing in the hall to reaffirm the status of the 2002 Spring Struggle, "make this a struggle that will demonstrate that we are labor unions with real power." Further, he severely criticized the Prime Minister saying, "Koizumi's structural reform will drive the citizens to ruin. It has already been nine months (since he took his office) and not one thing has improved compared to the former Mori administration." He then resolutely pledged to confront the Koizumi Cabinet strategically for the earliest possible recovery of the economy and improvement to the job situation. Sasamori stated that "we will take every possible measure not to increase the number of unemployed," and ended his speech stressing that now is the time for RENGO. "If ensuring jobs is in fact labor union's greatest role, then if RENGO doesn't act now, who else will and when?"

Afterwards, those representing private and public workers delivered their respective resolutions. They all vented their anger at the government resolutely stating, "we will fight till the end strategizing with our RENGO comrades (SHITETSU SOREN: General Federation of Private Railway & Bus Workers' Unions of Japan)," "we will advance one step at a time never losing (KOKKO-RENGO: Japan Public Sector Union)." At this rally, several new movements were tried including receiving an "appeal of anger" from the floor. Heartfelt voices were also heard from fellow workers working at companies rebuilding under the company rehabilitation law.
Further, General Secretary Kusano presented the 2002 Spring Struggle to the general assembly at the rally. Representatives from each of the nine nationwide blocs conducted a relay appeal, and RENGO Tokyo President Igusa delivered a resolution. Following that, the following Struggle Kick-Off Declaration was adopted with unanimous applause. "With this rally, may a maelstrom of Struggle spread to all working people and create safe and stable living standards, employment and society." Afterwards, the rally closed with three-cheer chant led by President Sasamori.