General Union members at a vocational school (senmon gakko) had been fighting an uphill battle for years, demanding fair bonuses that had long been unreasonably low. Despite their efforts, progress seemed out of reach.

This year, they decided to change tactics. “Let’s take more direct action,” they agreed. Each member penned a personal letter to management, outlining their demands. Together they then then went to the office to deliver their demands in person. Their message was clear: “We’ll be back if necessary.”

The impact was immediate. Soon after, the company reached out to the union, expressing a willingness to address the bonus issue.

In the end, the persistent demands that had fallen on deaf ears for so long finally bore fruit. A resolution was reached that satisfied all parties, rectifying the unfairly low bonuses.

This victory was a testament to the union’s unwavering determination and the members’ willingness to take unprecedented action. It proves that when workers stand united and refuse to back down, real change is possible.