Berlitz Unions submit demands to parent campany, Benesse

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:56

Friday, October 24 More than 120 people came out to support Bengunto (Berlitz Union Tokyo) as they stepped up the campaign at Berlitz and submitted demands to their parent company, Benesse.

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October 26 in history

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Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 05:55

• October 26, 1863 Soccer rules standardized; rugby starts as a separate game
• October 26, 1881 Gunfight at OK Corral, in Tombstone, Arizona
• October 26, 1945 Hilary Clinton born
• October 26, 1972 Henry Kissinger declares "Peace is at hand" in Vietnam
• October 26, 2007 Nova declares bankruptcy

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The Issues: ECC

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Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:30

ECC union members have voted and are submitting the following demands to ECC.

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Daily allowance for sub-teachers

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Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:41

The union is calling for ECC to provide sub-teachers with a daily allowance of 500yen.

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NOVA - Latest News

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Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 05:44

G Education (branded as Nova) is up and running with more and more schools opening. Now is the chance for teachers to take a stand and demand a fair voice in their workplace.

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Stop outsourcing at Mukogawa Womens University

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Published on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:42

From 2006, Mukogawa Women’s University (MWU) has been outsourcing English education to a major English school whose main purpose is to maximize profits.

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Belitz Union Dues

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:46

Only working part-time at Berlitz? Union dues are based upon a sliding scale aimed to make union membership available to all workers. Dues range from 500 - 1000 yen per month based upon your average monthly salary.

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ECC Nagoya ALP Lottery System

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Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:51

Are you aware that the ECC Chubu district is the only area that uses the ALP lottery system?

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Nichibei Staff Trip: No Teachers Invited!

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Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 05:31

Nichibei organised an overnight 'Staff Training' trip to Shirahama on 7th to 8th September, and it seems to have been a great success, though we think the staff at Nichibei actually deserve much more than this as a reward for their hard work, such as a base-up pay rise and real bonuses.

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English Payslips Arrive!

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 06:35

Thanks to the General Union ECC branch your payslips should now be easier to understand.

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Important Notice to ECC teachers enrolled in Shakai Hoken (Employees' Health and Pension)

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Published on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 03:46

The Social Insurance Agency (Shakai Hoken Cho) is currently seeking confirmation that your pension records are correct.

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ECC 100 Campaign

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Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:29

In the summer, we launched the ECC 100 Campaign and are happy to announce that we have met the first target and won our training pay demands.

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ECC 100 Campaign On Target!

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Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:32

In the summer, we launched the ECC 100 Campaign and are happy to announce that we have met the first target and won our training pay demands.

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ECC Best School - A close one!

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Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:48

Thanks to all of you who voted in this year's Best School Survey. The results were that close that we have decided to name the top 5.

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Applying for Osaka City Public Housing

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:41

Osaka City will re-start an application process for municipal housing for low-income earning households who are in urgent situation to find housing.

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ACC Teacher Wins Severance Pay

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 04:47

A teacher at ACC, a small conversation school in Nagoya, was recently fired without notice, seemingly for having the audacity to take two days off work while she was sick.

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AEON - 150,000 reasons to be happy

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 04:49

Back in June we reported on an AEON teacher who had received a small amount of overtime pay from the company once they knew the union was on　to the case. However, after the union completed a detailed calculation of the true amount owed, it was clear that AEON was still shortchanging the teacher.

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ECC Executive Officers (2018)

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Published on Tuesday, 11 July 2006 19:37

Nathan H. (Branch Chair) I joined the Union to pay my dues, meaning that the Union got me shakai hoken, and it was time to pay the Union back for what it got me. I started to learn that a lot of the things I may have taken for granted, like paid holidays, social insurance, and pay increases, were a direct result of Union work. I joined and didn't just sit back - I wanted to be an active part to help others. I wanted to listen and learn, and through negotiations, bargaining, and strikes, I see that it is possible to make a difference by standing together as a workforce. I try to know as much as I can about every member of our branch, and I truly care about them all; their difficulties, their health, and their families. I feel honored to represent them and will do so to the best of my abilities.

Alexis M. (Chubu) I joined ECC just last year (2017). I’m from Canada and being a part of a union was a no brainer for me. At all my previous jobs in Canada, you’re automatically enrolled in your union. I was surprised when I had to find out from colleagues that ECC does in fact have one. In Canada, I’ve held positions on collective bargaining units both for my university and employer. I know the work and dedication that goes into being a part of a union and I want to make working conditions and pay fair for all. I’m mostly interested in representing the new 35 hour contract teachers and make some positive changes.

Andrea M. (Kinki) I have been teaching at ECC since early 2017. I am a strong supporter of worker's rights and feel that joining the Union makes a tangible, positive difference to working conditions. I hope that during my time on the Executive Committee, I will be able to represent my peers and negotiate change. We are stronger together.

Chris P. (Kinki) I’m from Britain. Joined ECC in 1991. Joined the union in 2014. Have taught all kinds of classes, especially Senka, worked in the textbook writing department, and was Senka coordinator for 17 years. In 2017 the company suddenly dissolved the Senka coordinator position, leaving me with a significant salary cut. The union stepped in, and with the support of all our members, we were able to resolve the issue. Without the union we have no countering voice. With the union we can stand up for ourselves and fight for some fairness, security, and parity. That’s why I’m a member.

Dory C. (Kinki) Though I don't have a long history with unions, I came to the company hearing about all the union has done for employees. When the bottom line is profit, unions are essential in protecting worker rights. Though the union exists for the workers, I've found many people have gone through things they shouldn't have because they weren't aware of their rights. The union exists to protect workers from struggling alone, and it's essential for the future.

Fred H. (Chubu) Born in raised in California, I came to Japan to work with ECC in 2016 and joined the General Union shortly thereafter. I joined ECC primarily because its working conditions and other benefits outshine those of its competitors; and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a lot of what made it a competitive company to apply for a job with was due to the efforts of the General Union. In addition, I discovered that some of the most passionate and helpful instructors in the company were proud union members. Because of all that, I reject the old line that unions hurt the success and profitability of companies - unions are one of the only checks that guarantee a company retains its dignity and dedication to quality service and motivated workers.

James S. (Chubu) As a long-time employee of ECC, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that the Union has made. I have seen us function not just as a focused group for negotiating with the company, but also a personal support group and information center for our members as they deal with life in a different culture. The value of that kind of security can't be underestimated.

Jeremy P. (Kinki) I've had jobs in several industries and the difference between industries with a strong union or a weak one is huge. I joined the General Union because a strong union is the only way to guarantee fair working conditions and treatment for employees.

Joe G. (Kinki) I'm from the U.S. and I've worked at the same school in Japan for over 10 years. I joined the union because I wanted to ensure teachers' at my workplace were being treated with reasonable amounts of respect and dignity, and to help create a better workplace for myself and my co-workers.

Micah G. (Kinki) I'm from the US and started at ECC as teaching staff in March of 2017. ECC is my day job - my (late) night job is as a practicing corporate attorney. I have worked for a few large companies in the US, but have whittled my practice down to just one business owned by friends (and various one-offs). During the years I've spent as an attorney, I've seen firsthand the difference a strong union makes for the lives of its members. Not only that, I've seen how the changes a strong union brings about can make a company more profitable. I hope that we can keep making ECC and the GU stronger.

Miguel E. (Chubu) I’ve been a teacher at ECC since 2007, but a General Union member only since fairly recently. Teaching may be a calling, but the best things about ECC that made this a viable job - training pay, shakai hoken, special care leave, and so much more, all proudly touted at our job interviews and workshops - are all thanks to the GU's efforts. A company that decided to freeze the salaries of its native staff IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE. So who is on your side? Some of the company’s most experienced and passionate teachers, the friendliest and most helpful people I have had the privilege to meet and work with. Most importantly, their voices are my voice.

Owen K. (Kinki) I came to ECC through an in-country, part-time, dispatch route - something not very common. It wasn't long after taking on a full-time position that I found the problems I was facing weren't happening despite the company's efforts, but more because of them. Through the Union, the support network I needed was there, something that I am now a part of myself. I came in from the fringes and less-traveled roads, and you will find me there still, representing the many of us who work in the diverse and lesser-known parts of the company.

Thomas B. (Chubu) I’m from Canada, and have been at ECC for over 13 years. My family have been strong union supporters for several generations, so I was happy to find there was an effective union helping workers at ECC when I came to Japan. I feel that a union is especially important for people working in a foreign country, where it is not always easy to learn about our legal rights, and can also provide a community where the members can support each other.

What is a "break" Berlitz?

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Published on Wednesday, 30 May 2012 04:25

Berlitz Kansai union members have taken a stand and voted to push ahead to win payment for the 5 minute interval between lessons. Berlitz calls it a break but a break presumes that it is time off to relax. The interval between lessons at Berlitz is very much work – unpaid work.

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Berlitz teachers demand to be paid for all work

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:54

Are you happy with the ECC training system?

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Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:38

Nationwide instructors have been contacting the General Union unhappy about the current training system. Isn't it time you did something about your working conditions?

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It's on - the Berlitz Branch Summer BBQ

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:51

Date - Sunday August 3rd 2008

Time - from 2pm

Place - Temmabashi, Osaka by the river (Keihan and Tannimachi train lines)

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AEON Leafletting Brings Results

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 04:50

After just a few days of leafleting at AEON Nagoya training sessions, management is running scared.

Union member receives overtime pay

Before the union had time to formally demand overtime pay for our members, management has suddenly paid one member's overtime. Some Aeon managers will say you are not entitled to paid overtime. So why did they pay our members overtime? Japanese labour law clearly states that all overtime must be paid for.

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AEON does about face over housing issue

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 04:49

Ever wondered about leaving AEON housing? It isn't uncommon for teachers to be told this is impossible, that they must continue to pay rent until the end of their employment contract. This is untrue and a violation of housing laws.

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AEON Nagoya does about face over housing

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Published on Thursday, 26 June 2008 00:00

Ever wondered about leaving AEON housing? It isn't uncommon for teachers to be told this is impossible, that they must continue to pay rent until the end of their employment contract. This is untrue and a violation of housing laws.

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AEON Nagoya Leafletting Brings Results

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Published on Thursday, 26 June 2008 00:00

After just a few days of leafletting at AEON Nagoya training sessions, management is changing its tune.

Union member receives overtime pay

Before the union had time to formally demand overtime pay for our members, management has suddenly paid one member's overtime.

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The union in smaller workplaces

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Published on Wednesday, 30 May 2012 03:26

Most of the news that we report at the General Union is the bigger cases but we do a lot of work at smaller companies too. Here is one such case.

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ECC - The Issues

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Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 07:45

Why 100 yen? Starting salaries for full-time instructors have remained constant since the 29.5 hour contract was introduced ten years ago.

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GABA Teachers Win a Pay Increase!

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Published on Saturday, 11 October 2014 05:07

GABA teachers have unionized and are seeing direct results. Shortly into negotiations the company announced an across the board increase of 100yen per lesson for teachers: an increase of over 6% for the lowest paid teachers. Teachers with Belt training have received an increase of 200yen per lesson: an increase of 10% for many. Depending on the number of lessons taught, that is a monthly pay increase of 15,000 - 40,000yen per month.

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AEON Teachers: Working Too Much?

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Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 04:54

Learn how to say no to unreasonable demands on YOUR time. Join us in our campaign to win unpaid overtime.

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