News
Why did you join the union?
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- Published on Friday, 17 December 2010 00:00
General Union members come from a variety of different workplaces and countries, and include people from at least six major language groups. Some join with their own individual problems, some with the idea of organizing all their coworkers into the union, and others who join just because they support unions.
Nagoya/Tokai ALTs - Open Meeting. Sunday, January 30
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- Published on Friday, 17 December 2010 00:00
This will be an open meeting for all ALTs in the Nagoya area. You will have the chance to ask questions and share your concerns. There will also be an update about what the union is doing to improve working conditions of ALTs.
Tezukayama University: Mid-year koma cuts unfair
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- Published on Friday, 06 April 2012 07:38
How many of you would agree to the following contract? 1. Keep a full year free to work for us. 2. If there’s work, we’ll pay you. 3. If there’s no work, we’ll pay you one month and then nothing more. Unfortunately, many university teachers are having to sign such contracts.
Epion Teacher Survey
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- Published on Friday, 06 April 2012 07:38
Interested in maintaining and improving working conditions at Epion? Have your say by taking our survey.
Seibo Jogakuin: Pre-consultation system
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- Published on Friday, 06 April 2012 07:40
Are you worried about possible changes to your working conditions in the following year? Are you even more worried that these changes will occur with little or no notice? General Union members at Seibo now have a little less to worry about.
Welcome to the Schools and Colleges Branch
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- Published on Wednesday, 30 May 2012 04:23
Ever seen these three letters, SAC, and wondered what they stood for?
What's Gaba trying to hide?
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- Published on Friday, 22 October 2010 00:00
Gaba has blocked the union website from their company computers, is withholding registered union mail from instructors and counselors alike at the LS and has demanded several union members neither discuss union activities nor distribute union literature at the workplace.
Nova union member's job protected
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- Published on Thursday, 21 October 2010 00:00
A long term Nova employee and union member was recently non-renewed for the second time in six months, and for the second time we have been able to protect his job and force the company to renew his contract.
Gaba Branch Organizing Committee
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- Published on Friday, 14 March 2014 04:07
Adrian (Chair)
I am from Australia, and have been working for Gaba since April 2006. I work in the Futakotamagawa Learning Studio. I have been a union member since November 2008, and I notified the company of my membership in November 2009.
I joined the union because I believe that we all deserve decent working conditions, and that workers acting together is the best way to achieve this.
Robert (Secretary)
I am from Jamaica and I've been with the company since 2003 and have worked at various learning studios. I, just as every instructor, would like to have improved working conditions, fair treatment for everyone and a healthy and rewarding relationship with the company. This can only happen through communication and being proactive.
Within the current framework, individual instructors cannot effectively represent themselves with the company. We are all in the same boat and whatever changes take place affect each and every one of us. The union is one of the main channels through which we can collectively effect a positive change, not only for ourselves but for all parties involved.
Union demands that the IC Timecard replacement fee be abolished!
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- Published on Wednesday, 30 May 2012 03:50
The ECC branch is set to negotiate over the replacement fee for lost or damaged IC Timecards.
Instructors win right to union representation
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- Published on Friday, 08 October 2010 00:00
In December 2009 the Osaka Labor Commission made a ruling that confirmed Gaba instructors have the right to union representation under Trade Union Law. Gaba attempted to appeal the decision at the Central Labor Commission but the appeal has been rejected this week. The ruling stands. Gaba instructors have rights under Trade Union Law.
ECC - Goodbye Timecards! Beware!
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- Published on Monday, 13 September 2010 00:00
ECC is implementing changes to the manner in which working hours will be recorded. Several members have already raised their concerns to the union. Members are worried that they will no longer have access to a copy of their punch in and out times.
Berlitz FAQ
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- Published on Wednesday, 21 March 2012 12:07
How much notice does the company request when taking paid vacation?
For paid vacation requests of less than 5 days, the company suggests at least one week’s notice.
For paid vacation requests of more than 5 days, the company suggests at least one month’s notice.
However, the company can be flexible on this. If your requests are not being acted on in a timely manner, please contact your union representative.
A new forum for ECC union members
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- Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:35
The union and ECC have started labour-management discussions (Collective Agreement 2010.4.26) giving members the opportunity to express their concerns, opinions, and suggestions directly to management.
Block/ASM Meetings & Buffer Days- New Collective Agreement Signed
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- Published on Tuesday, 03 August 2010 00:00
ECC has agreed to avoid the confusion experienced regarding block meetings.
The union and ECC have recently signed a collective agreement that will see ECC provide at least 10 days notice regarding start and finish times and working locations for Block/ASM meetings and buffer days. When ECC is unable to meet these deadlines they will inform the union without delay.
Water Coolers- New Agreement Signed
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- Published on Tuesday, 03 August 2010 00:00
The union has won the installation of water coolers in schools with limited access to water.
ECC has agreed to provide water coolers in schools where the only access to water is in the toilets. Many schools have shared kitchen facilities with other tenants. If you are still without water at your school, please let the union know.
ECC Annual Leave with Pay (ALP) Lottery to be abolished
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- Published on Saturday, 31 July 2010 00:00
Teachers working for ECC in the Nagoya area (Chubu District) are set to benefit with the annual leave with pay (ALP) lottery being abolished.
Yes, males can take childcare leave!
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- Published on Friday, 30 July 2010 00:00
The percentage of the male workforce in Japan taking childcare leave is less than 2 percent. Employees though, especially the breadwinner, are reluctant to take childcare leave for primarily two reasons:
Health Checks – They’re mandatory!
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 03:35
For many westerners, the idea of a state mandated health check smacks of a nanny state, and we are often reluctant to submit to the tests. While not all companies obey this law, the fact remains it is compulsory for all employees to have an annual health check under article 66 of the act.
Health Checks – They’re mandatory!
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 03:34
For many westerners, the idea of a state mandated health check smacks of a nanny state, and we are often reluctant to submit to the tests. While not all companies obey this law, the fact remains it is compulsory for all employees to have an annual health check under article 66 of the act.
ECC-Union Grievance System Summer Update
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- Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 08:00
Members at ECC have the benefit of asking the union to submit grievances to ECC over any issues that may arise.
If Beat Takeshi isn't an employee, neither are you
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- Published on Monday, 28 June 2010 00:00
Aichi Labour Commission Probes RADIO i Unfair Labour Practices
FM RADIO i (Aichi International Broadcasting) concluded an "outsourcing contract" for a union member and former DJ with dispatch agency Culture Club, then claimed that it had "no contractual relationship" with him.
Do you work at a private high school, junior high school or elementary school?
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 06:20
Do you work at a private high, junior high, or elementary school? Are you concerned about your rights at work? Are you worried that falling student numbers will result in cuts in your classes? Many people have heard of the General Union’s work at conversation schools and universities; but did you know that our union also has a long history improving teachers’ rights at private schools?
Epion - Back in the classroom
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 06:37
In May, we were contacted by an Epion teacher who had been removed from classroom duties and sent to headquarters. The exact reasons seemed unclear.
Schools and Colleges Branch presents:"Being proactive and avoiding isolation in your workplace"
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- Published on Friday, 06 April 2012 07:42
Friday, 18 June at 7:30PM Murphy's Pub in Shinsaibashi This short talk and discussion will focus on the things you can do to head off trouble in your workplace before they become more serious. It will also look at how the union can function effectively in taking up individual grievances and resolving members problems.
Shinobu Foods GU Filipino members set to strike!シノブフーズ フィリピン人労働者は闘う!
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- Published on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:11
We urge ALL UNION members TO support our Shinobu Foods members during this dispute.
Improving workers lives at ECC:General Union's long history shows why unions are important
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 03:46
ECC is one of the oldest General Union branches. ECC members already benefit from an established union/employer grievance procedure and a preconsultation agreement.
OWLS Dispatch company ordered to repay illegal salary deductions to twenty teachers
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 06:50
Company ordered to drop illegal penalties
At the Fukuoka General Union (FGU), the company which seems to generate the most grievances is OWLS.They are a dispatch company that has contracts with Kita-kyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture and a number of other Boards of Education.
Aichi Labour Bureau: Tokai City breaks dispatch law
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 04:56
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare have sent out a notification to all the local Boards of Education (BOEs) judging the contracting-out of Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) work to be illegal.
Dispatch Averted, Pay Cuts Stopped
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- Published on Thursday, 01 April 2010 00:00
With rumors of their direct hire positions going to dispatch, five ALTs from Kofu city in Yamanashi prefecture contacted the General Union.