Zookeepers’ struggle keeps their workplace under city’s direct management

A long-standing struggle of union members at the Nihondaira Zoo in Shizuoka has successfully kept their workplace under the direct management of Shizuoka City. Since the city government considered privatizing the zoo’s operation in 2004, they have repeatedly negotiated with the city authorities to resist the policy. They have argued that excessive cost reduction in the privatization “would bring a heavy loss to the zoo itself, local communities and animals” with declines in care and work environment as well as quality of service.

Akira Kubo, who handles reptiles at the zoo, explains that being operated municipally allows the facility “to accomplish its original missions such as conserving species and providing visitors with academic information and experiences related to the animals.”

A union of Shizuoka City workers representing the zookeepers continues to demand that the city maintain its direct operation of the establishment and improve the work environment for staff so that they can continue working without worry and hand down their specialized skills to future generations.