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Mahik
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 89
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 Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:27 am Post subject: Going to work in Japan: Advice and Questions |
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Hi, I'm new to the forums.
I've just secured a position with ECC to start working in December. I had applied to NOVA around the same time but was rejected. Has that ever happened to anyone else? As I understood it, NOVA is easy to get into and ECC difficult, no the other way around!
Anyway, I'll be in the Osaka area which I know nothing about. Is it at all different than living in Tokyo? I was there for a number of months so I have a better idea of Tokyo than Osaka, if there are big differences besides size. Does it snow in Osaka? Can anyone give me any advice about living there?
Also, should I consider joining General Union? I understand that ECC has far fewer complaints than its rivals but on the General Union website it sounds different. Should I consider joining? Dues aren't that much, but I'm not sure how big a benefit it'd be if I have a dispute with ECC. Plus I'm not sure how ECC would feel about that and I don't want to rub them the wrong way...
Thanks in advance! |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:35 am Post subject: Re: Going to work in Japan: Advice and Questions |
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| Mahik wrote: |
Also, should I consider joining General Union? I understand that ECC has far fewer complaints than its rivals but on the General Union website it sounds different. Should I consider joining? Dues aren't that much, but I'm not sure how big a benefit it'd be if I have a dispute with ECC. Plus I'm not sure how ECC would feel about that and I don't want to rub them the wrong way...
Thanks in advance! |
Why would you tell them you're in the union? It's probably a good idea to join, just in case. |
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markle
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Posts: 1316
Location: Out of Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:38 am Post subject: Re: Going to work in Japan: Advice and Questions |
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| Mahik wrote: |
Hi, I'm new to the forums.
I've just secured a position with ECC to start working in December. I had applied to NOVA around the same time but was rejected. Has that ever happened to anyone else? As I understood it, NOVA is easy to get into and ECC difficult, no the other way around! |
I wouldn't read that much into it, it happens...
| Quote: |
| Also, should I consider joining General Union? I understand that ECC has far fewer complaints than its rivals but on the General Union website it sounds different. Should I consider joining? Dues aren't that much, but I'm not sure how big a benefit it'd be if I have a dispute with ECC. Plus I'm not sure how ECC would feel about that and I don't want to rub them the wrong way... |
There is no harm in it, although I wouldn't advertise it unless completely necessary. I'm not sure how your employer would find out about it unless you told them.
Good luck |
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sallycat
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 303
Location: behind you. BOO!
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| Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:59 am Post subject: |
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| yes, it does snow in osaka. |
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Mahik
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 89
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| Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 5:00 am Post subject: |
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Well while not too expensive (3,000 yen a month), it's not something I want to do if it is unnecessary. Has anyone working for ECC had a problem that they felt could only be solved by joining the Union? Can the Union even help you in the event of a problem? Does anyone have any experience working with General Union? Are they helpful?
These are the questions I'm really worrying about. Not if I should, but if it's worth it.
And since a requirement of membership is attendance at the annual general meeting, it is a very real possibility that another member working for ECC might recognize me and tell someone else with that information thus reaching my supervisor at ECC. I want help if an issue should arise, but I don't want to do anything that would cause me to need help if you get my meaning. |
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Quibby84
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 643
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 5:52 am Post subject: |
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yeah but if he recognized you then you could recognize him and then neither would be able to tell...lol.
My husband was rejected by Nova
What would be the good in joining a union? |
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Gurdeep Rivenvald III
Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Posts: 27
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| Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:16 am Post subject: |
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| Quibby84 wrote: |
yeah but if he recognized you then you could recognize him and then neither would be able to tell...lol.
My husband was rejected by Nova
What would be the good in joining a union? |
http://www.generalunion.org/about.htm |
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markle
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Posts: 1316
Location: Out of Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:13 am Post subject: |
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| Mahik wrote: |
Well while not too expensive (3,000 yen a month), it's not something I want to do if it is unnecessary. Has anyone working for ECC had a problem that they felt could only be solved by joining the Union? Can the Union even help you in the event of a problem? Does anyone have any experience working with General Union? Are they helpful?
These are the questions I'm really worrying about. Not if I should, but if it's worth it.
And since a requirement of membership is attendance at the annual general meeting, it is a very real possibility that another member working for ECC might recognize me and tell someone else with that information thus reaching my supervisor at ECC. I want help if an issue should arise, but I don't want to do anything that would cause me to need help if you get my meaning. |
Stop worrying.
Personally, I would join the Union only if I was intending to take a job at a place where I could get really screwed over. Or if it became apparent that I was about to be screwed over. 3K/mth is not bad for a bit of peace of mind, at least 'til you feel a bit more secure then you could let your membership lapse. Attending the general meeting might be a bit more problematic, not because you might be seen, but more because I might conflict with your work schedule. |
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ironopolis
Joined: 01 Apr 2004
Posts: 379
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| Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: Going to work in Japan: Advice and Questions |
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| Mahik wrote: |
Also, should I consider joining General Union? I understand that ECC has far fewer complaints than its rivals but on the General Union website it sounds different. |
Yes, but they would say that, wouldn't they? The General Union website is obviously going to only have stuff about ECC or other employers on it which is aimed at encouraging people to believe joining the union is very much in their interest. They're hardly going to have anything on their website that might give people even the merest hint that joining them isn't worth it. That's not intended as a criticism of the union - it's just basic common sense that any organisation in a similar position wanting new members would do the same.
Personally, I'd say forget the union until after you've actually come to Japan. Give it a few months to let yourself assess the lie of the land in your ECC job with your own eyes, and then make your mind up. |
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