The Political Roles of Trade-union

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the political roles of trade-union. Roles can be summarized as follows : general election and social movements. But the problems of trade-union are related to the character of its organization. So, for the first, we describe the developmental process of trade-unionism. The distinctive structural feature of Japanese trade-unionism has been thought to be its “enterprise basis of organization” (Levine). The integration of traditional personnel relations on political and economic condition of post-war society has brought the establishment of the enterprise union. Characteristics of the enterprise union are as follows : (1) its organizational structure is very small (2) it lacks solidarity among working class people and this leads easily to disunity ; and (3) this kind of enterprise union has no controllable relation with the labor market. However, the enterprise union is closely related to the industrial union and national union. And there is a hierarchical system from enterprise union to national union integrating personnel relations. The main roles of political movements in trade-union have been established by national union and enterprise union which have been formed by collective bargaining. And trade-union has built up a strong background for, mainly, the Socialist Party. And there are considerable number of the Diet Members (Nation 30.8% ; Prefecture 20.1% ; City, Town & Village 10.1%) from this union. The Socialist Party sends many representatives to the Diet but it sends few to the local council. We call this phenomenon “reverse pyramid in the Socialist Party.” The reasons for this kind of “reverse pyramid in the Socialist Party” are : (1) there is a hierarchy in the formation of trade-unionism rising from enterprise union to national union and the Socialist Party ; (2) generally, inhabitants in local community have been conservative in sentiment ; and (3) the Socialist Party has not much strength in the local community. Besides, the Socialist Party has little solid community organization for its benefit. The political goal of trade-union is to form a revolutionary background for the working class. And enterprise had kept very similar characteristics to this kind. Today, the political role of the enterprise union is restricted to its function in a general election. And social movement of trade-union has been developed by national union. The political roles of enterprise union is considered to be greatly related to the organizational characteristic of trade-union.