Job Discussion Forums

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Japan's labour unions eye resurgence
The BoEs are to blame as much as the vulture recruiting companies for the lack of job security and low wages. The result is a sense of contempt for education and a weak pool of teachers.

This was on Google news today, and may provide you with some reason for optimism about change.
Meanwhile, join a labour union to add to funds that can fight for better conditions.

By Miwa Suzuki (AFP) � 3 days ago
TOKYO � After decades of decline, Japan's labour unions are looking to flex their new-found muscle in the wake of a historic power shift that handed them unprecedented close ties with the government.
The unions were a crucial support base for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, whose centre-left Democratic Party took power last month, ending more than half a century of almost unbroken rule by the business friendly conservatives.
"We are mates, comrades. We have the same thinking," said Tsuyoshi Takagi, who recently finished a four-year term as head of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation -- better known as Rengo -- which represents 6.8 million workers.
"The issue of employment is the most urgent problem we are now facing in Japan," he said in an interview with AFP before stepping down.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Shawn at Let's Japan comments on the illegal practices that ALTs are subjected to by BoEs and dispatch companies in which he menitons the Ministry of Education's 2005 letter on the hakengaisha issue.

This is the Let's Japan article here
http://www.letsjapan.org/a-terrible-triangle.html#comments

The Ministry's letter - http://alt.150m.com/

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

And, just how many ALTs working for dispatch agencies have actually gotten FT direct hire work as a result of their 3+ years of service? I'd say hardly any. Inquiring minds want to know. I think there are quite a few loopholes from the dispatch agencies, like nixing the last day of work or contract, thus technically meaning a person didn't work a full 3 years.

Mind you, the memo is 5 years old. I don't recall seeing a lot of progress done on it since then, either.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

I really enjoy my work as an ALT these days. I work at a supportive high school with a special English course for advanced and returnee students. I feel that I am in a really good work situation and I am grateful for it.

Following the recent news about dispatch companies, I am really glad that I am a JET Programme ALT and not a dispatch company ALT. In my situation everything has been well thought out, arranged, and organized. I can sleep well at night, knowing that in my situation, my pension and insurance and the what-not are taken care of and there won't be any not-so-pleasant surprises. We are well connected with the prefectural board of education and they take good care of us.

Regards,
fat_chris

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

fat_chris,

You're welcome.

I'm glad you are happy as a JET ALT. I'm also JET alumni, having spent one year in rural Ehime Prefecture.

Knowledge is power, and the more people with power, the better the quality of working conditions, and the more likely teachers can deliver quality to the people we serve - adult and child learners.

Keep going and have fun!

passport220 · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 117

I claim France as my own! I claim Megan Fox as my own! Great, I have a hot new girlfriend and a vacation place to take her to, sorted!

�The union� is as equally biased as it is without authority on the issues, who cares what they claim.

crankyjiji · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 21

Something is going on behind the scenes at Interac. They sent a fax to ALTs at their schools telling them they no longer have to show up for the staff meetings before 8:30. My friend would usually arrive at 8:10 to endure their boring meetings. That means 20 minutes more free time at home in the mornings. So that union is getting something accomplished, don't you think?

seklarwia · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:28 pm Post subject:

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

How is that getting something acomplished? Morning meetings are rarely more than 10 or 15 minutes so hardly a chore. If this is something the union has 'achieved' then they want to look at trying to do something useful.

I'd say its far more likely what someone else said about Interac trying to make sure they keep their employees within 29.5 hours to exploit all the part time goodness that entails (for them).

Every contract I've ever had has claimed ALTs get 45 min free for lunch 'to do as they please'. Every contract I've ever seen allows this as ALT free time. Shame every school I've ever been to (14) has/had other ideas (eating with the kids, english clubs, etc). It doesn't bother me, because as a direct hire I don't have to put up with the same kind of cr&p that Interac ALTs seem to, but if my 'free' lunchtime was what was reducing my hours to make me officially part time I wouldn't be too happy about it. I'd be interested to hear feedback from Interac ALTs to know what Interac says about lunchtime.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

I agree with cornishmuppet. Getting out of morning meetings is hardly an accomplishment.

If one is trying to better integrate into one's school community, then I would think the first place to start would be at the morning meeting and be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed every morning at 8:05 or 8:10 or 8:15.

Regards,
fat_chris

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Question: why shouldn't ALTs go to morning meetings?

Regards,
fat_chris

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

Why is it even a step? Its a nothing accomplishment. If I don't want to go to the uniform check meeting in the gym or the road safety lecture should I petition with the union? Ridiculous. Its pointless complaining like this from ALTs that are part of the reason BoEs keep selling them out to despatch companies in the first place. If the union had anything to do with it at all they might as well start walking around in clown suits for all the use they are.

For the record, when I worked in JH, I had to be at school from 8.15am. I didn't have to go the morning meetings. If I didn't want to I would talk to kids in the corridor or go up to the English teacher's room. I worked in 8 JHs and in some they liked me to go to various meetings and in others I was completely ignored (in one they actually shut the school in the afternoon one day and no one bothered to tell me...) but none of it is a union matter. Its just part (or not) of the job.

Flyer, can you use your lunch break as you chose, or are you expected to eat in with the kids?