Workers at major Japanese department store went on strike Thursday (August 31).

There hasn't been a walkout like it at any equivalent store for 61 years.

Staff at the Seibu flagship branch in Tokyo were protesting against the sale of their firm.

Sogo & Seibu, a unit of retail giant Seven & I, is the subject of a bid by U.S. investment group Fortress.

Workers want guarantees over jobs and business continuity.

They're unhappy at proposals for a local discount retailer to take over much of the store.

Critics say that would cheapen its image.

Union representative Takeshi Sakamoto said the walkout came after talks with management broke down:

"What we wanted was to have a continuous discussion before the closing of the deal, but we did not get to have it, so that's why we came here to go on strike."

The stoppage is unusual in Japan, where talks over pay and conditions are normally settled amicably.

Seven & I apologized for the strike, and said talks would continue.

At least some locals were supportive of the action:

"I really hope the Seibu store will survive and continue business as usual. So as a customer, even though it's disappointing the store is closed because of the strike, I'll take it no matter what, if it can change management decisions."

The strike comes amid a tight labor market in Japan.

Though unions have won big pay rises, those gains have been eroded by mounting inflation.

Labor experts said the walkout could spur workers elsewhere to be more militant.