Nevada-California International Consortium of universities and colleges (NIC), Japan / Lakeland College Japan

The Fight For Union Rights and Job Security At NIC-Lakeland

Nambu Union Dep. Gen. Sec. Louis Carlet

In the summer of 2006, 12 of 18 teachers at NIC/Lakeland unionized to put a stop to deteriorating working conditions.  Management took a hard line during collective bargaining and threatened union members at the workplace.

Their responses during talks ran from “No” and “No way” all the way to “Are you sure you want that?” and “We demand you retract that demand!” Members grew frustrated by a lack of progress.

In January 2006, things escalated.  Members voted to strike, but some refused to follow the will of the majority.  Others, including founding branch president John Charles, desperate to save their jobs from management retaliation left the union before the strikes began.  Of the original 12 members, only five brave souls remained in the fight, striking and leafleting.

When renewal came up in April 2006, management drew a clear line, retaliating against strikers and rewarding non-strikers.  Two strikers were fired, one transferred and one had her housing pay cut.  (One retired at the age of 62.)

The union filed a petition with the Tokyo Labor Relations Board for redress from union-busting.  Founding branch president John Charles testified on behalf of management against the union that he had left due to policy differences, while simultaneously emailing the new president that he had on fears of management retaliation.  The new president who stayed and struck for job security of all teachers was fired and accused of tax evasion, corruption of students, illegal double employment, breaking trust, rebelliousness and background falsification all of which are groundless accusations.

Nambu has rallied around the brave members of its NIC-Lakeland branch, who are digging their heels in for the long fight.  Gambaroh!