From language schools to universities to international schools and all across Japan, the General Union had a fantastic year improving and protecting working conditions in 2024. These are just a few of our bigger victories from the year. 

Securing Better Compensation: 

– Historic multi-year agreement at ECC guaranteeing minimum 5% increase over three years 

– Breaking a 30-year pay freeze at Berlitz with a 2.5% wage increase 

– Successfully negotiated a wage increase for a dispatch teacher at a private school, demonstrating that strategic union representation can be effective even for individual members 

– 3% wage increase secured at Kyoto International School 

– Settlement at ALC Education ensuring proper payment of wages and future protections 

Protecting Job Security: 

– Successful intervention in Goethe Institute restructuring, improving retirement allowance from 2 to 8 months 

– Secured continued employment for all teachers at an international school in Kyoto 

– Victory over 10-year employment cap at Aichi Prefecture university through practical implementation 

Improving Working Conditions: 

– Major improvements to yearly working hours schedules at Doshisha International Academy 

– Implementation of proper worker representative election procedures at Doshisha 

Growing Presence in Tech: 

2024 marked significant growth for the General Union in Japan’s tech sector. The union has successfully intervened in several layoff situations and is seeing increased participation from tech workers in union organizing training. At Indeed Japan, around 20 workers have joined the union, with negotiations already underway to establish union rights. The General Union’s expertise in protecting tech workers’ rights has gained recognition, leading to an interview with a prominent tech industry publication and invitations to speak at two gatherings about the union’s role in supporting tech workers. 

The Power of Unity: 

The victories listed here represent just some of our most significant achievements in 2024 – there were many more successes throughout the year. While strategic negotiations are crucial, the real power behind these successes is our growing membership. With more members standing together, we’ve been able to achieve more significant gains across all sectors. The raw power of a larger, unified membership has been key to securing these improvements in working conditions. 

Join the Movement: 

Don’t just join alone – join with your co-workers. The General Union will teach you how to build a union at your workplace and provide the training you need to make it effective. As we move toward our goal of 800 members in 2025, each new workplace that organizes strengthens our collective voice. Together, we can continue to protect and improve working conditions across Japan.