OFSET Union

Hi Everyone,
OFSET will be having formal negotiations with the BOE on the 15th of March, at 6.00 PM.
- The negotiations will take place in Room Fuji on the 3rd floor of Takatsu Gardens (Osaka Prefectural Kyoiku Kaikan Building).
- These are formal negotiations, and OFSET will be represented by the Parent Union (Kokyoso), who will be doing most of the talking for OFSET.
- The language of the negotiations will be in Japanese.
- Current NETs are welcome to attend this meeting to add support by numbers.

We have a meeting later this month with the BOE for clarification about the new contract for 2021. But we would like to recruit new OFSET NET members before the next meeting with the union, and before negotiations begin with the BOE next month. If you are interested in becoming a union member, please drop us a message in the next couple of days. Membership fees are 3,000 yen for one year.

Hi NETs,

A quick update:

Under the new KNNS system, OFSET has been advised to operate all future negotiations through the Parent Union (Kokyoso). To be clear, OFSET will remain a special division under Kokyoso (alongside other “special divisions” such as the women or night school divisions). OFSET will not lose any rights to negotiate the working conditions of NETs, but rather will be simply following the proper protocol due to our newly recognized status as “ipannshoku hijoukin” (regular part-time employees).

However, due to an extremely low response, the minimum of 2 Officer positions could not be filled, and that currently puts OFSET in no position to present demands for NETs at any negotiations.

With that said, if anyone is still interested in being an OFSET Officer, main duties will include:
* Preparing demands of NETs
* Attending annual negotiations to present NETs’ demands
* Managing OFSET dues
* Facilitating this page/official OFSET account.

Without Officers at the helm, negotiating working conditions for 2021 onwards will only become more difficult, with OFSET losing purpose and consequently being forced to dissolve after almost 30 years of defending NETs and the integrity of the program.

We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible, as the fight for improving working conditions particular to us foreign nationals, and reinstating some form of paid sick leave is far from over.

Message us via this page and we will respond at our earliest convenience.

A friendly reminder.
(Deadline: Today ).

Hi NETs,

Hope you're all settling into the school year now. There's been a few bumps along the road but so far so good. We also hope that everyone's families, friends and loved ones are ok and well. It's a stressful time for all and we all need to stick together to get through tough times. So sending much love and support from OFSET to all you guys.

As we posted yesterday, there's some openings for new officers this year, so if you'd like to get involved, feel free to get in touch with us and we can go from there.

We'll also be hopefully organising a social distanced welcome party for everyone to get to know each other soon. Better late than never!

If any NETs have any questions about their schools or any issues, feel free to get in touch with OFSET.

Stay safe and well!

OFSET

Hey NETs,

The new school year has been a rollercoaster thus far and though these greetings are late, OFSET hopes that you and your loved ones are healthy and have not been negatively affected by COVID-19.

Having also received our first term-end allowance (“bonus”) ever, we hope everyone feels a little more financially comfortable halfway through 2020.

With that said, since current Officers have served the last 3+ years to ensure that NETs still have jobs, and will in fact receive “bonuses”, without any downsizing of the program/salary upon the implementation of the new KNNS system, OFSET is looking for new board members!

Available positions:
• Chairperson
• Treasurer
• Communications Officer

*If at least 2 of these positions aren’t adequately filled, OFSET will be forced to dissolve after almost 30 years of fighting for fairer working conditions for NETs.

While we understand that volunteering your time can sometimes get complicated, thanks to the ongoing support of YOU, the NETs, OFSET has successfully established itself as being an integral part of the NET Program. The value through its continuation in ensuring that NETs get the representation they need is irreplaceable. And so, we look forward to you continuing to show your support through directly representing you and your fellow NETs.

If interested in any of the aforementioned Officer positions, please message us via this page by July 13th (Mon) and we will respond to you at our earliest convenience.

Hi NETs,

Yesterday, was the last day of our negotiations for the year and the BOE presented their reply to our main 3 demands:

1. With respect to Sick Leave becoming unpaid, the BOE has not rescinded their stance. The BOE reiterated that ONLY unpaid leave will be given if a NET cannot fulfill their duties due to inevitable illness/injury (including those at the workplace). OFSET did not accept such a response, especially as teachers, who are often more exposed to illness and overwork, in addition to other prefectures ensuring their employees have paid sick leave.

2. With respect to 5 days paid Special Summer Holiday being withdrawn, if deemed necessary (by the principal) for health management during summer, NETs will be given 3 days paid Special Summer Holiday. OFSET’s clarified with the BOE that despite this decision being at the discretion of the principal, there is NO REASON for it NOT to be granted. As for the number of days being reduced to 3, the BOE said this is in accordance with a National Government law, which states that if part-timers work 5 days a week (regardless of the total number of hours they actually work), are entitled to be granted a maximum of 3 days paid Special Summer Holiday.

3. With respect to Bereavement Travel leave being withdrawn, the BOE has maintained their stance that despite NETs having to travel abroad, they will not be granted the necessary travel days in order to fulfill their bereavement leave. They stated that Japanese part-time workers also won’t be given such allowances, as they choose to turn a blind eye to the reality that even the most difficult travel for Japanese nationals is still infinitely easier than the travel time necessary for us foreign nationals to return to our home-countries.

For 3 hours, OFSET Officers asserted yet again how unfair these conditions are, especially for NETs who already work hours comparable to full-time employees, but will be forced to share the same general working conditions with those who work the minimum amount of hours necessary to qualify as a part-timer (e.g. 1 hour).

The BOE alluded to the fact that since 2020 is the first year of the KNNS system (2020 Changes), that they must strictly adhere to the KNNS Manual, BUT if significant flaws are found upon ex*****on, there is a possibility to continue negotiations with OFSET and have conditions customized for 2021.

It should also be made clear that the BOE explicitly stated that under the new KNNS system, the fate of NETs has now become a part of a unanimous decision making process involving other divisions/departments affected by the KNNS system, some of which have no relation to the education sector, nor have their employees conditions worsened in the process. This is unacceptable.

We’d like to thank the NETs who attended yesterday’s meeting, and those of you who continue to show your support in various ways.

みなさん, おつかれさまです!

With the new school year right around the corner, NETs can look forward to receiving a bonus and 3 days paid Special Summer Holiday under the new KNNS system. Regardless if you have been directly affected by the removal of any of our current conditions, your rights to conditions that NETs have had for almost 30years still directly affects you, the NET. With that said, OFSET is looking forward to your continued support in the new fiscal year as we continue to fight for fairer working conditions.

Questions? Concerns? Want to join OFSET? Feel free to contact us via messaging this page and we’d get back to you at our earliest convenience.

Just a reminder, today’s meeting will be
at Takatsu Gardens Conference Centre at 6pm.
2nd Floor, Room: BOTAN (ぼたん ・牡丹・ボタン)

The BOE’s Official Reply to our 2020 Demands:
TOMORROW (Tues, March 24th) at 6pm
WHERE: Takatsu Gardens Conference Centre
2nd Floor, Room: Botan (ぼたん)

Hey NETs,

As you all are aware, OFSET had our annual negotiations last Thursday. In summary:

1. OFSET demanded that paid sick leave remains intact.
Though the BOE has approved ‘COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave’, there are many more infectious illnesses (injuries and emergency medical procedures) that NETs can be exposed to throughout the year. As a result, the BOE needs to establish necessary long-term policies to ensure the overall well-being and financial safety of its employees are not jeopardized because of unforeseen illnesses beyond the current global pandemic.

2. OFSET demanded that the BOE do not withdraw our 5 days special summer holiday.
Since it was never in our official contracts to begin with, the granting of these days should not be affected by the KNNS system (aka 2020 Changes).

3. OFSET demanded that the BOE grant NETs the necessary travel days in order to return to their home-countries in cases of bereavement.
For NETs to be permitted bereavement leave, but not its necessary travel days is a form of discrimination as foreign nationals working for the BOE.

To all our demands, the BOE claimed that under the new KNNS system, decisions for regular part-time workers cannot be made independently, regardless of each part-time position’s vastly differing hours and responsibilities across the multiple divisions. (e.g. High School Division, Personnel Division etc.)

OFSET highlighted yet again how unfair it is to create the same conditions for multiple positions disregarding the hours/responsibilities of respective jobs. In addition, we reiterated that we were not making ‘outlandish extra demands’, but simply that the conditions the BOE deemed necessary for almost 30years be recognized and maintained for its irreplaceable value to the NET Program. Our “titles” may be changing, but our work and responsibilities do not. Why should we be the only ones punished and others unaffected?

To the NETs who submitted their written impact statements (which were read anonymously) and those who attended last week’s negotiations, thank you for your active participation. We at OFSET believe hearing from you directly, as to why these conditions are important made a significant impact on the BOE. With that said, the BOE is set to present their official reply tomorrow, Tuesday March 24th at 6pm.

Stay tuned for further updates, or feel free to message us via this page with questions, concerns or how to join OFSET and we will respond at the earliest convenience.

If any NETs would like to submit a short written impact statement (2 paragraphs at most) to be read anonymously at negotiations etc. expressing why paid sick leave, summer holidays, travel bereavement leave etc. are important to you and the program, please message us your statement via this page.

We appreciate your continuous support in ensuring that good working conditions for NETs are maintained.

Good morning NETs,

Yesterday were our annual negotiations with the BOE but they didn’t go quite as planned.

The Head of the BOE did not attend due to being held-up by another meeting. Regardless if this was deliberate or not, so as not to compromise OFSET’s legal right to negotiate without having the necessary personnel present, OFSET requested to reschedule negotiations. We are pleased to announce that the Head of the BOE and other representatives WILL receive our demands on Thursday 19th, March at 6pm (4th Floor, Takatsu Gardens Conference Centre).

With that said, we have some other updates:

• School Placements
Due to certain protocol, the BOE stated that they cannot inform NETs of their school placements BEFORE informing principals via post. The BOE plans to send those letters out this Thursday. However, that means schools probably won’t receive them til Monday 23rd, March. OFSET emphasized to the BOE how misleading their email was about how this information was to be announced and that such late notification is problematic for NETs, their coworkers and schools, in making the necessary preparations for the new school year.

• COVID-19 Sick Leave and other policies
OFSET informed the BOE of the poor handling and distribution of information concerning the approved ‘COVID-19 Sick Leave.’ Despite the document being sent out to schools, many NETs were not even aware such policies existed. OFSET emphasized the gap in communication of the directives from the BOE to schools, as to how exactly this information should be shared with NETs and requested they rectify the matter as soon as possible.

In addition, the BOE was urged to be proactive and prepare necessary policies if schools indefinitely close should any staff or student contract/be exposed to COVID-19. Furthermore, necessary bereavement leave in light of NETs possibly having to return home to their families in unfortunate circumstances during the global pandemic was also brought up for consideration. The BOE expressed their intention to think of these matters more deeply.

In closing, we know the last few months have been frustrating but we’re not going down without a fight and your continued support is needed.
Thanks again to all the NETs who came out yesterday to support and actively participate in negotiations/discussions. Your voice matters!

Feel free to drop us a message via this page if you have any questions, concerns, or interested in joining OFSET, and we’d get back to you as soon as we can.