After three rounds of collective bargaining with zero meaningful responses, Altia Central’s refusal to meet during the strike on November 14, and the President’s first appearance at the November 19 bargaining session – where he provided no sincere answers and offered only silence – the company has finally submitted a written proposal.
In light of this, the General Union has decided to lift the strike.
This is undeniably a step forward, but our fight has only just begun!
Altia’s written proposal includes:
- A basic salary of ¥240,000 per month, effective December 1
- A completion bonus of ¥120,000
This is progress.
However, three of our five demands were not addressed at all in bargaining. There was no justification, no explanation – they have simply been ignored.
We can consider this proposal a kind of olive branch, but given Altia’s long pattern of delays, silence, and last-minute action, we remain cautiously optimistic.Trust cannot be rebuilt overnight.
The General Union will return to bargaining in good faith as long as Altia does the same.
But if the company once again dodges questions, delays discussions, or refuses to address our remaining demands, we will not hesitate to restart the strike and file an Unfair Labor Practice complaint with the Labor Commission.
This proposal was not handed down by goodwill. It was won through the courage, solidarity, and determination of every member who spoke up, took action, and refused to accept exploitation as a normal cost of doing this job.
Below are comments from members explaining why this struggle continues – not only for Kyoto ALTs, but for the future of ALT work nationwide:
- “Visibility matters – the public must understand what dispatch ALTs actually face.” – S.B.
- “Japan needs to recognize that education professionals deserve fair, stable wages.” – T.B.
- “Speaking out is the only way anything will ever change.” – A.C.
- “This system is pushing experienced ALTs out – and that harms education itself.”- K.F.
As we move forward, we welcome Altia’s proposal as a first step – but a single proposal does not erase the months of silence and avoidance we have endured. In the next round of negotiations, we expect real conversation, real transparency, and real good-faith bargaining.
This fight is not limited to Kyoto. It is becoming a nationwide movement to improve the working conditions of ALTs across Japan.
For our students, our schools, and the future of English education in Japan, we will continue moving forward. Our fight has only just begun!