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A Publication of the SUITE union
Vol. 1, No. 6 December 13, 1994
The Sophia spirit, which had been ailing the past few months, can now be pronounced dead. Among other signs of its demise: during negotiations last Thursday the administrators of the Center for Extension Programs confirmed that 10 SUITE members would not be given any classes from April 1995.
What a coincidence!
The ten teachers being dismissed are precisely the nine founding officers
and one other member who actively participated in the negotiations.
It seems that freedom of association no longer has any place at Sophia. The large signs at the gates show that freedom of expression is frowned upon severely. How ironic that President Walesa visited Sophia at the same time these travesties were taking place!
Even more unbelievable, Sophia's authorities are shamelessly reaffirming their "good faith in negotiating" by proposing to negotiate about...the Autumn Term 1995! It is extremely fortunate that the remaining union members (SUITE is still well represented in the Community College) have not yet put away their Halloween costumes. With the help of a voice modulator and a proper camouflage, they might avoid being recognized when sitting at the negotiation table!
Please don't take this as a joke! There is nothing humorous about discrimination and injustice.
Of course, these dismissals are unethical, and surely they are surprising for a university of such renown. But, most of all, the situation is sad, very sad...
Frankly speaking, SUITE was not even that surprised at the December 8 negotiation meeting when the authorities, now represented by three office clerks, gave SUITE a new version of a new explanation of a new reason for changing the contract from "Employment" to "Entrustment." Up to now, the party line was that there was "no change" because the contracts were "essentially the same." The proposed contracts supposedly "clarified" the contractual relationship. No more! The new story p; "The school originally made a mistake by entitling the agreement "Employment Contract"!
Will there be yet another "new explanation" at the Tokyo Labor Commission hearing convening on December 13th? This hearing, the first scheduled, will investigate the charge of unfair labor practice.
Considering this "mistake" of giving an "Employment" contract has been repeated over and over for as long as 20 years, and that all this time the Community College was successfully and peacefully growing and educating students, it might be the best "mistake" in the history of Sophia, don't you agree?
Could it be that the contracts are getting too much in the way of something else?
In any event, Sophia's spokesperson will now be forced to use the new code word "rectification." May we remind the authorities that the difference between "clarification" and "rectification" is not subtle?
And by the way, Mr. Terminaka ("The Terminator"), SUITE finally knows the WHO WHY and WHAT is behind the change in the contracts. Information is leaking out! Secrets are secrets no more!
Now that the time has come to bring our case to the courts and commissions of the judicial system we are glad to find that people in the in the school are ready to tell the truth on the witness stand, ready to end the distortions. These are real Sophians, men and women who are willing to risk losing their high positions by standing up for minimum decency.
Justice is on our side but that does not mean that we will get legal justice. Despite the current developments, SUITE remains committed to finding a real solution to the labor/ management dispute. SUITE believes that out of every death a new life begins; we are thus hopeful that the Sophia spirit will be rekindled in the hearts of all, that the spirit will be renewed and reinvigorated for the good of all.
Let the students learn. Let the teachers teach.
Those who are accusing SUITE of misbehaving are in fact those who are bringing shame upon the good name of Sophia University. Are you proud of what they have said and done? Do you think that misrepresentation, groundless termination and media manipulation are the "Sophia ways
If you stand by idly then you are approving of their actions. It is time to take a stand! The mavericks in the administration must be stopped! The time for action is now!
The persons who are trying to bully the Community College and its teachers
into submission are powerful, but mark our words, and mark them well:
Truth and true justice will prevail!
SUITE Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 1 July 4, 1994
SUITE Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 2 October 1, 1994
SUITE Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 3 October 13, 1994
SUITE Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 4 October 25, 1994
SUITE Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 5 November 10, 1994
SUITE Newsletter
Volume 2, Number 1 July 4, 1994
The overview: Tokyo Observer article May, 1995