News
2010 Academic Year Negotiations Start
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- Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:34
Negotiations with ECC for the 2010 Academic Year commenced today.
Nagoya/Aichi ALTs on Facebook
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- Published on Friday, 15 January 2010 00:00
We've created a facebook group for ALTs.
Go to www.facebook.com then search for Nagoya ALTs. Tell us how you would like to see working conditions improved.
ALT Meetings - Kansai & Nagoya
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:06
Come to an meeting and find out what the General Union is doing to improve the working conditions of ALTs. You will have the chance to ask questions and share your concerns. Osaka Date: Sunday, January 24, 2010
ALTs across Japan are joining the union
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- Published on Wednesday, 06 January 2010 00:00
Health and Pension Insurance in Japan? What's the difference?
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 03:32
The General Union has put out a lot of information in regards to Shakai Hoken (public health and pension insurance), but did you know that most workers in private schools, including universities, are enrolled in an even better scheme?
ALT furniture: A look at ALT dispatch contracts in Fukuoka
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:04
-by Chris Flynn, Fukuoka General Union ALTs have become a regular part of the Japanese educational landscape—or perhaps I should say like a piece of educational furniture.
Union takes action against Aichi schools
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 07:53
Two years ago, after surveying Osaka prefectural boards of Education, the General Union found that 23 city boards of education were employing illegal ITAKU (subcontracting) contracts to supply their schools with Assistant English Teachers (ALTs).
Stop outsourcing public school ALT jobs
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- Published on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:42
If we wish to see improved job security and wages for Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) working at public schools, unions have no choice but to take on the public boards of education.
Dispatch Averted, Pay Cuts Stopped
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- Published on Tuesday, 03 November 2009 00:00
Dispatch Averted, Pay Cuts Stopped (2)
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 06:14
With rumors of their direct hire positions going to dispatch, five ALTs from Yamanashi prefecture contacted the General Union.
Nagoya Teachers Win Unemployment Insurance
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- Published on Saturday, 24 October 2009 00:00
We can’t name the employer because of a confidentiality agreement but we have won enrollment (including back enrollment) on unemployment insurance (UI) for teachers at the Nagoya branch of a small language school.
English instructors hired illegally: union
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 06:35
Japan Times Article - Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 NAGOYA (Kyodo) A labor union of foreign workers requested Monday that the Aichi prefectural board of education address the concerns of English-language instructors at public schools who they say are working under illegal contracts.
Aichi English instructors hired illegally: union
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- Published on Wednesday, 21 October 2009 00:00
Japan Times Article - Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009
NAGOYA (Kyodo) A labor union of foreign workers requested Monday that the Aichi Prefectural Board of Education address the concerns of English-language instructors at public schools who they say are working under illegal contracts.
General Union - In the News!
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 07:11
You all know what the General Union does, right? Organize unions, talk to members about workplace problems, intervene on behalf of members directly with their employers, create a forum for members to participate in the union’s life, etc. But did you know that your union is also regularly in the news and is regularly asked to comment on issues which effect foreign workers across Japan.
Sign this? NO WAY!
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- Published on Tuesday, 20 October 2009 00:00
At a recent meeting of dispatch ALTs, a manager produced a petition against the new immigration changes requiring proof of enrolment in public health insurance. Twenty two people were in attendance but all the manager could muster were seven signatures. The rest refused.
My contract is for 29.5 hours. Can I get shakai hoken @ ECC?
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 05:01
The answer is YES.
ALTs and the Influenza - Tell the us what's happening
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:38
Do you have any control over your own workplace?The current influenza situation is proving very clearly that you don't.
Hannan University Teachers - "Thanks GU. No koma cuts in 2010"
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 07:45
The General Union (GU) members at Hannan University are very grateful to the union for helping them avoid koma cuts next year.
ALTs make the evening news
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:39
The topic of Assistant Language Teachers in public schools is heating up. In a report by a news program one parent complained that their child's class had seven different ALTs in a year.
Nagoya City ALTs - Open Meeting
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 05:02
More and more Nagoya-shi Board of Education ALTs are contacting us and in response we are preparing to launch the Nagoya City ALT Branch/Local.
Nagoya City ALTs - Open Meeting
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 05:02
More and more Nagoya-shi Board of Education ALTs are contacting us and in response we are preparing to launch the Nagoya City ALT Branch/Local.
Do you work at St. Thomas University?
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 06:20
In light of St. Thomas University’s (owned by Eichi Gakuin) decision to stop all new enrollment with the aim of closing the university in the near future, General Union members at this university have submitted demands for collective bargaining.
ALT: Dispatch vs. Direct Hire
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:07
Interac teachers recently won direct hire at Kurashiki Board of Education. Compare the working conditions! Read full story here.
Direct Hire Vs. Interac
| Working Conditions | Kurashiki Direct Hire | Interac Dispatch |
| Monthly Salary | 330,000 | Variable: 180 - 260,000 depending on nationality |
| Housing Allowance | 25,000 | zero |
| Summer Salary | 100% | 60% |
| Yearly Bonus | 150-420,000 | zero |
| Shakai Hoken (health & pension) | Yes, 50% paid by employer | zero |
| Paid Annual Leave | 15 - 20 days days | 5 days |
| Sick Leave | 5 days | zero |
| Extended Paid Medical Leave | up to 25 days | zero |
| Bereavement Leave | 10 days | zero |
| Job Security | Yes | Dispatch company always at risk of losing contract |
Are you and your co-workers interested in direct hire? Contact the union to find out more.
Teacher’s schedule restored after GU sends demands
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- Published on Tuesday, 09 June 2009 00:00
A long-time Union member working as a part-time teacher at several universities in Nagoya received a double dose of bad news in January this year. First, he was informed by Kinjo university that his schedule of 3 koma (classes per week) would be cut to 2 in the school year 2009~10. Then, later the same week, he received a schedule by Meijo University which included 2 classes for the second semester of the school year but ZERO classes for the first. With a family to support, he was understandably concerned about the loss of teaching hours and income, so he reported both problems to the Union.
University Class Cancellations - GU Wins Settlement in Nagoya
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- Published on Monday, 08 June 2009 00:00
Many GU members teach part-time at universities and colleges. Working as a part-timer at such institutions has its good points, but it also has a major downside because it’s so insecure. There’s never a guarantee that your one-year contract will be renewed, and universities commonly draw up class schedules on the basis of a very optimistic projection of student numbers in the coming school year. Part-time teachers then have to block off hours during their week so that they can take the classes on offer.
Interac kicked out of Kurashiki Board of Education - Union wins direct employment for teachers
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 03:54
Interac, notorious for illegal sub-contracting and its hostile attitude to worker rights, continues to grow across Japan but the union has been able to stop them in their tracks in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture.
University Class Cancellations - GU Wins Settlement in Nagoya
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- Published on Monday, 08 June 2009 00:00
Many GU members teach part-time at universities and colleges. Working as a part-timer at such institutions has its good points, but it also has a major downside because it’s so insecure.
ECC teachers win a toll free number!
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- Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:58
Thanks to the General Union ECC branch, teachers with substitute shifts will no longer be required to spend money to find out what their working hours are.
Interac - Rumor has it....
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- Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 03:53
There's an Interac office out there that "messed-up" on more than 150 contracts and they are now in a mad scramble to get teachers to sign another contract accepting lower salaries. You are not required to do so.
