Union chair in the news. Asahi newspaper. 9 January 2016. Osaka-jin #8
Dennis Tesolat (45). Chair of a labor union with mostly foreign workers. Boldly protecting his fellow workers.
Collective bargaining and even court, while struggling with disease.
“Cheerful, loud – I love Osakans,” he laughs out speaking in Osaka dialect, swinging his large body in his wheelchair.
Mr. Dennis Tesolat, an Italian-Canadian, is 45 years old and lives in Asahi Ward in Osaka City.
For Japan’s English teachers, rays of hope amid the race to the bottom--Japan Times
A very decent article from the Japan Times covering the "eikaiwa" industry published on 7 January 2016 which also covers a lot of work the General Union has done to win improvements.
We must note that there is a small error in the part about Berlitz. The union's recent victory did not include any back pay.
Through Union Pressure, Waseda University Retracts Five-Year Employment Limit
As the General Union has previous reported ("Ritsumeikan University Changes Part-Time Employment System"), a number of universities have adopted employment "limits" on limited-term, part-time employees in an effort to prevent them from applying for unlimited-term contracts after five years of continuous employment, as directed by the revised Labour Contract Renewal Law of 2012.
One of the universities that adopted this spurious policy was Waseda University (早稲田大学, Waseda Daigaku), which Wikipedia states is considered to be "one of Japan's most prestigious universities, consistently ranking amongst the top universities in Japanese university rankings. The university has many notable alumni in Japan, with seven Prime Ministers of Japan and many CEOs, including Tadashi Yanai, the CEO of UNIQLO."
Complete victory in IES court case over shakai hoken
On November 7th, 2015, a union member's suit against his employer, International Education Services (IES), was settled in court mediation with the member winning each point he sued for. ("IES Sued Over Failure To Enrol In Shakai Hoken").
Foreign workers are often lead to believe that they are not eligible for shakai hoken (Employee's Health and Pension Insurance), or that - since they don't want the pension - they are better off with only kokumin kenkō hoken (Nation Health Insurance (NHI), via their local municipal office). Well, we hope this story will make you think again!
NSSI unfair dismissal case settled in mediation
It has been over one year since we helped and supported some of our members in their efforts to sue Nippon Steel Sumikin Intercom (NSSI) over their dismissal after 19 years of work, but the General Union is pleased to announce that the case has finally been settled. ("Fired? Here's What Some Union Members Did About It"; "Suing Nippon Steel - Update")
Shakai Hoken Laws are changing in 2016. How will you be affected?
Do you have shakai hoken? Do you want it? The General Union has been fighting for its members to get shakai hoken for years, but there is a game-changing update to the law coming into effect on October 1, 2016. How will this affect you? Check the changes and know your rights!
A New Fight For Shakai Hoken At NOVA
It is no secret that NOVA has, for many years, vehemently avoided enrolling its employees in Shakai Hoken (Employee’s Health and Pension Insurance) in order to save money by not having to contribute half of the insurance premium costs.
The Conundrum of Confiscating Cellphones at Kansai International Academy
Here in the General Union office, we have a short (but often accurate) adage that states: "Beware of any school that has the word "International" anywhere in its name".
Given what we know of Kansai International Academy (inclusive of Kansai International School and Sakura International School), it would appear that our precept is accurate once more. If nothing else, they certainly seem to have a reputation that would qualify them for such a dubious honour.
"My Number" System - Points and Reminders
Now that people are starting to receive their new "My Number" social security and tax number system card, here are few important reminders to be aware of:
• The PAPER CARD is mandatory. Keep it safe.
• The PLASTIC CARD is entirely optional, and must be applied for. The application documents are contained in the envelope that the paper card is delivered in.
