April 24, 2002
Colleagues,
This is to inform you that we have joined the Tokyo Shikyoren Senshu Kakushu
Gakko Branch (Federation of Private School Teachers and Staffs Unions) and
formed the American School in Japan Teachers Union. Formed in 1949, Shikyoren
is part of the second largest union in Japan. It is under the Zenkyo and
Zenroren labor unions. Some other employees of ASIJ are already members of
this union.
We have reluctantly made this decision to join a union. But we feel that it is
necessary to address
* the blatant age discrimination reflected in the retirement proposal
* and more importantly the illegality under Japanese law of the
reinterpretation and unilateral changing of several personnel policies.
We appreciate all the work done by the FSCC. We have tried to have more dialog
with the Board and Administration to further discuss these issues, but the
requests have been essentially ignored. We stated in the letter to the Board
that we do not intend to be whiners, complainers, or divisive; and we do not
intend to be a litigious group. But the faculty/staff do have rights that are
not being observed, and joining a union now appears to be the only way to
address the issues surrounding these rights.
By Japanese law, Foreign employees have the right to organize a labor union,
bargain and act collectively, in order to keep and improve their working
conditions. The organization of a labor union and its activities are
guaranteed as basic labor rights by the Constitution of Japan and the Labor
Union Law stipulates these rights in detail. (The Foreign Workers Handbook of
The Labor Administrative Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. P. 40)
We know that not everyone on the faculty/staff stands behind us, but we also
know that we do have many supporters and we are grateful to you. We are also
aware that many of you are fearful of possible reprisal if you sign a letter or
join us in the union, or in any way show support. The Japanese laws (Articles 6
and 7 of the Labor Laws, regarding Unfair Labor Practices) forbid this type of
action on the part of the administration.
If you have any questions concerning these matters, please contact any of the
below.
Sincerely,
Ron Dirkse
John Hohenthaner
Bill Jacobsson
Mid Squier
Thursday, May 9, 2002
Colleagues
Just a little update on our union activities. In the future we will be using
our web site to communicate any developments.
1. ASIJ has agreed to file the school's personnel policies with the Mitaka
Labor Board. The translations will be filed soon. Both employer and employee
representatives need to sign these to show agreement with each policy and
revisions. Contrary to rumors that seem to be going around, this action in no
way jeopardizes any benefits. Certainly we should be legal according to
Japanese laws. Forming the union also does not jeopardize any benefits.
2. Those faculty who signed the letter to the Board in late March each received
a reply yesterday. Although the Board feels what they are doing is proper, in
our opinion, they continue to not address what we feel has been illegal in
their actions (see web site below) -- thus our forming of a union.
3. Yesterday the union was notified by the Administration that they will meet
with us on May 29 to begin the legal discussions.
Our union does have a web site providing you with more information and giving
you the opportunity to follow the developments in this situation. We will use
that method for any further communication. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ron, Bill, John, and Mid
