A few 7-eleven owners formed a labor union

Aug 4, a few 7-eleven’s franchise owners formed a labor union and expressed their wish to bargain collectively with 7-eleven Japan about pricing and rate of royalties.

The number of the owners is 230. 7-eleven Japan’s stores are over 12000.

7-eleven Japan says franchise owner is not worker and their “labor union” is not legal labor  union.

In Japan franchise law does not exist. The owners insists on acts protecting franchise owners.

Labor union’s veto over company split

In Japan, according to Companies Act and Act on the Succession to Labor Contracts upon Company Split, companies may effect company split without the agreement of labors who will be transferred.

Sotetsu is one of major railway company and their management is in crisis, so they are planning to effect company split which means railway business will be divided.

But Sotetsu Labor Union, one of labor union of Sotetsu, insists that they have a veto power over company split and plans to strike.

Basis of their claims is union contract.

Union contract between Sotetsu and Sotetsu labor union has prior consultation clause which demand company to have a discussion when company plans to change working condition.

The union’s claim seems unreasonable because prior consultation clause does not mean veto power. It only demands to have a discussion.  

Demotion after maternity and child care leave

June 16, a woman worker who returned to work after maternity and child care leave filed a suit for the wages which her company reduced and  declaratory judgment which says her company’s treatments were illegal.

The company which she is working for is Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. ,one of major videogame maker in Japan.

Konami Digital Entertainment demoted  her from international business to domestic business after maternity and child care leave. As a result her wages were reduced.

Konami Digital Entertainment says they reduced her work for her child care.