The+developing+trade+union+movement+in+Japan

Developed in order to strengthen democracy MacArthur and his advisors encouraged membership of trade unions to help rebuild after the war. “Labour Union Act” December 1945, gave workers the right to organise, bargain and go on strike. “Labour Relations Adjustment Act” September 1946, set up procedures designed to settle disputes by arbitration (negotiation). Labour Standards Law, 1947-fixed standards for men, women and children in employment including rates of pay, conditions, compensation and insurance. Increase in number of unionists: 381 000 August 1945  à   6 million by end of 1950 1925-457 unions, 254 000 members 1935, 991 unions, 409 000 members 1940, 49 unions, 9 000 members 1955, 32 012 unions, 6 166 000 members Trade Unions are associations that represent the collective interests of their employee-members in bargaining and negotiating with large employers. Trade unions generally seek to obtain higher wages, reduced working hours, and improved working conditions for employees. In addition, trade unions seek to improve workplace safety and to obtain increased benefits, such as health insurance, pensions, and disability insurance, for employees. Unions also look to protect the employment security of their members, largely by negotiating to implement seniority rules and to eliminate "at-will" employment contracts under which non-union employees traditionally have been subject to dismissal without cause.- http://www.answers.com/topic/trade-union
 * __The developing trade union movement in Japan__**