Gerome Rothman

Abstract: The talk will begin by giving a brief background about temporary labor contracts to set up an examination about a unique problem facing language educators in the corporate and university sector – the so called five-year rule/ten-year rule. This rule purports to provide a method for temporary labor contracts to become converted to permanent contracts. This presentation will discuss the ins and outs of this new policy, the myths associated with it, the implications of the policy. It will close by explaining why cooperation, rather than competition with one’s colleagues is the only way to build solidarity and improve working conditions in the academic workplace.

Speaker bio: Gerome Rothman is a Field Director and Organizer at Zenkoku Ippan Tokyo General Union (Tozen Union for short). As an organizer at Tozen he is a case officer for 10 of its locals, responsible for leading collective bargaining, drafting demands and legal documents, and representing the union to third parties such as the Labor Relations Commission 労働委員会. He is also Tozen’s representative to the executive of Rengo Tokyo, Rengo being the national federation with which Tozen became affiliated in 2016. He is also English language instructor at the Foreign Service Training Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

About Tozen Union: Tozen a Japanese labor union based in Tokyo with members who hail from over 35 countries. Members work in a diverse range of sectors including language education, financial services, warehousing, and translation/interpretation. Tozen aims to be the most democratic and transparent union in the world. Our website is at www.tokyogeneralunion.orghttp://www.tokyogeneralunion.org.