A posting entitled “Workplace Whiner” appeared recently at a certain LC. Featured prominently among the things one should not complain about were the following: “there are some big issues where complaining about them in the workplace will really hurt your reputation – complaining about salary or pay… is generally discouraged and reflects poorly on you.”
On Saturday July 26th, union members took out the strike van for another tour of Tokyo starting off at Ikebukuro LC, and continuing to Nerima, Shimokitazawa, Naka Meguro, Meguro, and Yurakucho LCs.
Leaflets were handed out at most of the LCs. Passersby particularly enjoyed the ‘one point strike lessons’, which were given by the announcer and leafleters. Following the action at Meguro, the strike van went through the Shibuya crossings broadcasting our message. Surprisingly, the ‘Nova Bunny’ reared its reanimated head for the occasion.
Check out the new video of BEGUNTO members taking action at the Machida LC on June 28. The public is becoming aware of the teachers’ plight. We hope the message and music will brighten up your day!
Berlitz has come out with a midyear incentive worthy of the name “token”, although someone has obviously figured out the PR drawbacks of that term.
How are you going to spend your 10,000 yen? A round of drinks for 10 strikers? 5 months union dues? Your suggestions please…
BEGUNTO SUMMER UNION ASSEMBLY
Date: July 13 (Sun), 17:00-19:00
Place: NUGW headquarters
5-17-7 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
8 minutes walk from JR Shimbashi Station, Karasumori Exit
(walk straight down Nishi-Shimbashi Dori (under the arch next to the Softbank sign – see attached photo) about 8 minutes. turn right at the Super Hotel. NUGW is halfway down the block, on the second floor)
Agenda: the 2008 Shunto Strike
ベルリッツ・ゼネラル・ユニオン・東京 夏期総会
日時：７月１３日（日）１７：００−１９：００
場所：全国一般労働組合東京南部 事務所
東京都港区新橋５−１７−７
JR新橋駅烏森出口より徒歩８分
議題：２００８年春闘ストライキ
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Belle on Wheels embarked on her second tour of the Tokyo Area on Tuesday June 17. She carried with her 4 BEGUNTO members as well as 3 from Nambu.
The day began at Yurakucho LC in support of striking members there. Belle stayed in the area and broadcasted our demands from two different locations around the LC. The Unit Director came down to check out the goings on along with Tokyo’s finest. The Police Detectives simply asked how long we would stay. We explained until 2:00 p.m.
Following the Yurakucho action Belle took a drive through the Ginza broadcasting our message to afternoon shoppers while greeted by friendly smiles and waves from strollers and street vendors.
The next stop was Hamamatsucho LC where we stopped to broadcast from the highway across the plaza for around half an hour.
From Hamamatsucho we went to Shibuya LC where we broadcasted from approximately 30 minutes from across the street.
After a drive through Shibuya’s busy areas we cruised Aoyama doing a ‘drive-by demo’ around Aoyama and Shin Aoyama LCs. We then cruised the Roppongi area doing another ‘drive-by demo’ at the Roppongi LC before going to Kamiyacho.
At Kamiyacho LC we supported the Kamiyacho Commandos’ 18:15 x 1 strike with our P.A. and crew until 18:55. We made a brief stop upon request of a sister union member at Simul Academy, which is also a Bennesse member company before ending our tour and returning Belle to her base.
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What the well-dressed Begunto member is wearing these days: his demands on his (or her) dress-code regulation tie. These “4.6″ ties were created by union labour in Kanagawa. Available in a variety of colours. To order yours, contact begunto1@yahoo.com
See attached file for illustration.
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“Belle on Wheels*” made her first appearance on the streets of Tokyo Saturday, visiting Ueno, Ichigaya, Otemachi, and Seijo LCs, in addition to cruising by Yurakucho, Aoyama, Shibuya, and Sangenjaya, while broadcasting reports of the ongoing strike at Berlitz. (see photos attached)
Thousands of people viewed the sign and listened to the announcements as we rolled through crowded areas of Tokyo. People were literally stopped in their tracks, faces frozen, as they read and
listened. Many gave us words of encouragement. I even had a thousand yen pressed into my hand by a well-wisher.
Van-glish lesson
The van decorated with union posters stopped in front of various Berlitz LCs, while union members stood on the roof to explain the strike at Berlitz, and offer a one-point labour eikaiwa lesson:
“How do you say “sutoraiki kekko chuu” in English?”
“I am on strike! You are on strike! He is on strike! She is on strike!…”
This was particularly popular with high school students passing by Ichigaya LC.
At Seijo, we were joined by local strikers for leafletting in front of the school, while the van circled the block, to the wonder of all in the normally sleepy town.
Neighbours who had seen us there before stopped to talk about the ongoing dispute, and said “gambatte”, in spite of the noise and fuss. Non-striking teachers were invited to get on the bus and join the strike.
Many thanks to the driver and navigator from Ikebukuro LC, whose skills behind the wheel were indispensable to this mission, and to Nambu for lending us the van.
*The P.A. van was christened with this name by one of its drivers.
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Strikes have taken place at 31 Berlitz LCs to date:
Akasaka, Atsugi, Chiba, Chofu, Fujisawa, Hachioji, Hamamatsucho, Ichikawa, Ichigaya, Ikebukuro, Kamiyacho, Kashiwa, Kawasaki, Kichijoji, Mizonokuchi, Nakano, Nihombashi, Ochanomizu, Omiya, Otemachi, Roppongi, Seijo, Shibuya, Shimokitazawa, Shinaoyama, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Tachikawa, Ueno, Yokohama, Yurakucho, Other Languages Department French and Spanish
次のベルリッツ・ランゲージセンターはスト決行中：
赤坂、厚木、千葉、調布、藤沢、八王子、浜松町、市ヶ谷、市ヶ谷、池袋、神谷町、柏、川崎、吉祥寺、溝の口、中野、日本橋、お茶の水、大宮、大手町、六本木、成城、渋谷、下北沢、新青山、品川、新宿、立川、上野、横浜、有楽町、フランス語、スペイン語
The ‘Suburban Achievers’ – some Begunto members from Atsugi, have been putting those struck lessons to good use by producing a pro-strike MP3.
Looking forward to seeing the video!
Click the attachment link below to listen.
Read the lyrics below. Memorize them, and sing at the next demo!
You’ve heard the song, now watch the video! 日本語版もあります！
(English subtitles)
(日本語）
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