June’s Collective Bargaining

Here is a short summary of the Union’s questions and requests, followed by Management’s answers and replies:

Union asked: for a salary base up of 2.3% (half of what was asked last year)
Management’s response: No. Employees are paid enough.

Union asked: that letters of “cease and desist” to striking teachers be taken out of their files.
Management’s response: No, the striking was illegal.
(The Union’s position was the strike was legal, and the members were exercising their right to strike. The Lawyers at the last collective bargaining refused to answer a simple question: why is MGT suing us?)

Union asked: for verification that all LC’s had clear evacuation maps and all employees had drills
Management’s response: 75% of LCs had maps, and getting evacuation drills would happen at the local level (i.e. the Instructional Supervisor would schedule them).
It has been over 100 days since the earthquake.

Union asked: Which document and rule exactly was used to kick Mr. Co and others out of the Shakai Hoken?
Management’s response: They didn’t know. They did not want to answer.

Union asked: Would the Travel Policy be changed (time added) due to the lines operating at 80% due to power outages and conservation (no express trains on weekends, blocked escalators)?
Management’s lawyer: Just leave earlier and faster (to make it to the LC on time)

Union asked: Why was Mr. Billingsley’s contract not renewed (after working for 38 years?)
Management’s response: to help maintain a balance of younger and older teachers.