|
The Berlitz Japan 2007-2008 strike was a strike held by Berlitz Japan teachers of the Berlitz General Union Tokyo (Begunto), which is part of the National Union of General Workers (NUGW). Beginning in December 2007 and continuing until November 2008, it grew into the longest and largest sustained strike among language teachers in Japan.〔''Japan Times'' ("Berlitz launches legal blitz against striking instructors" February 17, 2009 )〕 Although the union had ceased strike action in November 2008, on December 3, 2008 Berlitz Japan sued the union and seven individual union officials for ¥110 million each (US$1,178,430) in the Tokyo District Court. The union took Berlitz to the Labor Commission for firing two teachers and several other complaints. Berlitz' suit against the union was dismissed by the Tokyo District Court on 27 February 2012,〔Hongo, Jun, "(Berlitz loses suit over union teacher strikes )", ''Japan Times'', 28 February 2012, p. 1.〕 with "all claims rejected" but Berlitz decided within a week that it would appeal its loss to the High Court.〔McCrostie, James, "(Berlitz court ruling unequivocal on basic right to strike )", ''Japan Times'', 6 March 2012, p. 14.〕 After further negotiations and legal wrangling Berlitz's High Court case against the union was withdrawn on December 27, 2012. A little over five years after the strike initially started matters were finally concluded with the union winning a raise and a bonus for teachers at Berlitz Japan.〔''Japan Times'' ("Berlitz union wins raise, bonus in suit settlement" January 1, 2013 )〕 ==Background== Berlitz Japan is a subsidiary of Berlitz International, owned by Benesse Corporation. Some staff in the Kanto area are represented by the Berlitz General Union Tokyo (Begunto). Begunto is a part of the National Union of General Workers Tokyo Nambu, which is itself affiliated to the National Union of General Workers (NUGW). The NUGW is in turn affiliated to the National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo). Until 1993, when Benesse took majority control of Berlitz,〔Benesse Corporation website (History - About Us ) Retrieved June 13, 2014〕 all teachers would get an annual base-up raise on June 18, as well as a seniority bonus. Since Benesse bought the company, there has been no across-the-board base-up increase.〔Japan Times ("As parent firm posts record profits, Berlitz teachers strike" May 6, 2008 )〕 While Berlitz offered contracts of less than 30 hours a week (thereby avoiding paying for health insurance and pension for their workers) Paul Baca, Begunto Vice-President at the time the strike started, stated that actual working hours come close to 40 when unpaid lesson preparation time and times between lessons were included. Catherine Campbell, Begunto President, stated that workers hired since 2005 were essentially being paid less, because they were paid 250,000 yen per month, but had to teach 40 lessons a week. Other teachers, hired before 2005, had to teach 35 lessons per week.〔''Japan Times'' (As parent firm posts record profits, Berlitz teachers strike May 6, 2008 )〕 Teachers hired in the early 1990s only had to teach 30 lessons per week.〔''Japan Times'' ("Berlitz launches legal blitz against striking instructors" ) February 2, 2009〕 Berlitz lessons in Japan are for 40 minutes. In 2005, the union took action over a number of grievances, and claimed this forced Berlitz management into paying the performance increase for that year. But there was no across-the board pay increase or bonus. Its “Language Company” sector had been taking losses during 2004, but in the fiscal year 2007, its operation profits were 34.9 billion yen. That sector accounted for 16% of the Benesse’s total sales and 18% of its profits.〔''Japan Times'' ("As parent firm posts record profits", Berlitz teachers strike May 6, 2008 )〕 For the last 6 months of 2007, Berlitz told its teachers that it had no money to give raises. In September 2007, there was an event at the Keio Plaza Hotel to which teachers were invited, but which they had to pay to attend. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「2007–08 Berlitz Japan strike」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|