History of Japanese Labor Unions 20 (1987)

Takahashi, the former head of Eisanro, said:

"If the president of a small animation company who used to belong to a labor union recognizes the labor union, then TV stations will stop giving work to his company.
The problem is the subcontracting structure in Japan. This structure of subcontractors subcontracting is corroding the labor movement.
So we should not criticize them by saying, "That president was once a laborer, but as soon as he became a manager, he forgot about his labor movement."
However, this does not mean that workers should simply sympathize with management and put up with terrible working conditions.
Based on its long experience, Eisanro has theorized that "in order to truly improve working conditions, it is necessary to change the conditions of subcontractors in Japan at the same time."
In response to this, the head of a major in-house labor union once said, "Eisanro's activities are like sowing seeds in concrete.
They will not take root and will not sprout. Eisanro is a labor union that is doing useless things."
Our activities may indeed be like sowing seeds in concrete. However, If we are to be active, that's the only style of union activity we can have.

And even though it's said to be like sowing seeds in concrete, the roots will take root and the sprouts will appear in the concrete."

Horizon Blue