Japan Automaker Unions File Major Pay Hike Demands

Tokyo, Feb. 15 (Jiji Press)--Labor unions at major Japanese automakers submitted their wage requests to the management side on Wednesday for this year's "shunto" labor-management talks, demanding substantial pay hikes amid soaring prices.

The requests also reflected a wish to attract capable personnel as the industry is in what is called a once-in-a-century period of transformation, marked by a shift to electric and autonomous vehicles.

In the consumer electronics industry, the unions of Toshiba Corp. <6502> and NEC Corp. <6701> also filed their wage requests the same day.

Unions of major companies are swinging into full gear for the spring wage negotiations with management toward March 15, when many employers will give their responses.

The union of Toyota Motor Corp. <7203> demanded a monthly wage increase of between 3,570 yen and 9,370 yen depending on job type and position.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]