Oh really...really

No, Im NOT racist and if you read my other post, which you obviously havent, you would find I dont like the governments of certain countries NOT their people. Sorry to offend you but my point was bang on. I have many Chinese-Canadian friends that will back me up on that. So am I racistI sure hope not!!! I dont like the US government eitherso am I a racist??? Yes, the world classification nominclature sounds bad but I didn't invent it. Economist use it. So sorry to hurt your feelings

Hope that helps.

unions are illegal in china

> Let's assume you can only enroll to this union teachers with valid
> working visas. They're usually good teachers. Teachers w/o a valid
> visa are usually a pest.

i should remind you guys that labour unions are illegal activity in china

Unions

These are sensible ideas, though I think a lot of places already have this sort of thing if you know where to look. Certainly the cities where I have worked in in China the Lao Wai have all known each other. There are usually 'hangouts' that the teachers go to, and most foreigners tend to know each other.
Where I am there is a forum setup on Yahoo, and most of us meet at random intervals.
New teachers soon find these haunts and us old hands always have plenty of advice on hand. I don't think that the city I am in *needs* a union as such.
The places that *do* need a 'union' are probably small towns/villages with very few foreign teachers where they only have local people for 'support'.
I don't think a 'proper' organized union would fly here, for all sorts of reasons.

> Dear Gertrude, and all dear teachers!

> You're right. These bullies do exist (not live), and we can avoid
> them. Please check my site:
> http://www.geocities.com/victoryolife/contractkr it teaches teachers
> how to Read / Write contracts.

> .......................

> UNION from SMALL TEACHERS GROUPS!

> A union can start, as one of you dear ones said it, from small
> gatherings in each area/city.

> We each can start where we are. That's how anything starts anyway!:)

> We don't have to call it a 'Union' - specially if it is in a country
> with a totalitarian regime and Mafia gangs controlling the cities
> (like in a few of SE Asian countries).

> Instead we can call our gatherings 'Teachers Circle', 'Teacher
> Buddies', ... No matter where - we can MOVE TOWARDS THE GOAL OF
> CREATING THE "TEACHERS SIBLINGHOOD"

> The smaller groups in a city, can meet once a week, and all of them
> can meet in a big party, once a month in a nice ballroom. I am sure a
> bunch of good connections, and even future marriages will spring from
> these parties.
> The future is in our hands and in the great creator's who certainly
> wants us to care for, and to support each other more and more.

> BUILDING SMALL GROUPS
> For example: We can gather our friend teachers from our neighborhood,
> in a coffee shop, once a week, and just enjoy chatting with each
> other. But have a rule or two for the meeting, so that it does stay
> based on love and care.
> For example we can say: 1-we are here to help and to empower the
> group (not to discourage each other). 2- We are here to enjoy our
> time and to help each other and other teachers around the globe.

> The teacher friends when gathered, normally tend to help each other
> when organized to avoid discord. Teacher, when gathered, are seen to
> be:
> A- Giving each other information. How to have a better school life.
> How to teach easily and successfully. How to make friends with your
> school's staff and management. ...

> B- Giving legal advice, or guide the person to a place where they can
> get legal advice. There are plenty of free 'Legal Aid' places, even
> in the 3rd world countries.

> C- Giving a hand, if a teacher has to leave a school, so she/he does
> not feel alone against the world!!

> D- Build a Power Group.Most 'bully Employers' are afraid of groups.
> If in fear, have the group visit each member's school during the
> break time. Soon the employers get the message that this person is
> not abusable because he/she is not "alone". (Just about all
> Orientals, think a 'lone' person is weak and easy to abuse. That's
> why it is hard to find an oriental person alone!)
> Women also will specially benefit from 'showing off their foreign
> male friends' at their workplaces, if there is a fear of 'sexual
> harassment', for example.

> Also the group can help with simple sharing of info. For example in
> case of anyone in your group wanting to enter a new contract, with
> any employer in Korea, Japan, Thailand, China, or anywhere else in
> the world, you can suggest to them to read this post, before:
> http://www.geocities.com/victoryolife/contractkr There they will
> learn a bit about 'how to find tricks in employment contracts', and
> about 'how to add a sentence in the contract to save them from a year
> of unhappiness at a school!

> IT IS EASY TO BUILD A GOOD SUPPORT GROUP OVER A MONTHS TIME

> Lets create the "TEACHERS SIBLINGHOOD" from today, and let
> it begin with me and you!

> What we can do to start a group?
> We can give a few fliers to the teachers of the schools nearby, and
> we can ask them to join if they like, in posting posters in our area
> and in the main shopping areas where teachers frequent.

> The poster, can read something like:
> ....................
> "COME TO TEACHERS PARTY"
> We meet at the Joe's Cafe in BMV Mall
> This Saturday 7 to 9 PM.
> If you see a white man in blue shirt,
> wave, and we will meet!
> ......................

> There you can ask them "How can we make a group to really
> strengthen the teachers position?"

> Allow each group the freedom to design its own destiny, at the same
> time that we all can keep in touch and enrich our international
> group. The Union will come by itself!

> "Think Globally, Act Locally!" Said the Yogi on the
> rooftop!

> .................................

> Our friend in Japan! Please tell us more about the union in Japan. It
> can be a very nice group to join and to build on to!

> We grow in happiness and love!
> Alan

> ....................
> The frequency of the light from monitors does cause temporary
> dyslexia in me. I must read my messages after a day or two, so to
> find the mistakes in it!! Go figure!
> So, try to understand my Internet notes, by using dedyslexifier
> glasses8)

question:

> Well, you must be one of those anti-union idiots that supports big
> corporations whilst you make peanuts as an ESL teacher. If that
> werent proof enough that you're a bloody idiot, then here are the
> facts that you are in fact two points above legally mentally
> impaired.

> First, the guest worker program, as you used in your silly example,
> is indeed not prohibited from forming a union, striking or making a
> slow down. Check out the US government's own laws, if you can read
> that is:

> http://www.usda.gov/oce/oce/labor-affairs/mspasumm.htm Second, and
> I know you probably never studied history, but there was a famous
> Mexican named Cesar Chavez that helped unionize poor Mexican migrant
> workers. Just in case your two neurons banging in your head are not
> over-worked, you can read about him here:

> http://www.sfsu.edu/~cecipp/cesar_chavez/cesarbio5-12.htm So listen
> amateur thelaw guy. You're just flat out wrong. Now, you may be
> right about SOME parts of Asia. But you are NOT correct about Japan.
> Japan actually has a union for teachers and I can join it if I want.
> In fact, Japan has a good system of arbitration for ESL teachers. It
> may not be used or advertised but it exists. I dont know about China
> or Korea.

> Well, I feel that's enough of the facts. I say if you can unionize,
> strike, or slow down, then so be it. The practicality may be a
> problem, but it's doable.

Why do we only hear of this extremely small percentage of disgruntled eslteachers? Once again the vocal minority misrepresents the whole.

It's not rocket science!

> Unions will work in ESL teaching as soon as we figure out how to get
> China, South Korea, Japan, and the West to agree on ANYTHING!
>

If these countries named above can agree on international trade buying and selling,exchange rates, then surely to goodness the governments can draw up a deal outlining all the decent working conditions and non-bullying conditions, non-racism conditions, before they agree to release the esl teacher. By using the laws of supply and demand alone we can do it.
If you do X, then we can supply Y.
If they can't do X, then we can't supply qualified teachers on proper visas, and then they will only have unqualified people on 3 month holiday visas. Then if the holiday teachers want to make any money, to have any type of security, to avoid constant travelling costs, to have a "proper career" they won't consider teaching esl. It will become harder for these nations to control and action will have to be taken at higher levels.
Will the helpers please stand up? We are waiting.

An women once told me that if you smile then your opponent can't refuse you. Look through the smiles guys. =

Love from Gertie.

UNION from SMALL TEACHERS GROUPS!

Dear Gertrude, and all dear teachers!

You're right. These bullies do exist (not live), and we can avoid them. Please check my site: http://www.geocities.com/victoryolife/contractkr
it teaches teachers how to Read / Write contracts.

.......................

UNION from SMALL TEACHERS GROUPS!

A union can start, as one of you dear ones said it, from small gatherings in each area/city.

We each can start where we are. That's how anything starts anyway!:)

We don't have to call it a 'Union' - specially if it is in a country with a totalitarian regime and Mafia gangs controlling the cities (like in a few of SE Asian countries).

Instead we can call our gatherings 'Teachers Circle', 'Teacher Buddies', ... No matter where - we can MOVE TOWARDS THE GOAL OF CREATING THE "TEACHERS SIBLINGHOOD"

The smaller groups in a city, can meet once a week, and all of them can meet in a big party, once a month in a nice ballroom. I am sure a bunch of good connections, and even future marriages will spring from these parties.
The future is in our hands and in the great creator's who certainly wants us to care for, and to support each other more and more.

BUILDING SMALL GROUPS
For example: We can gather our friend teachers from our neighborhood, in a coffee shop, once a week, and just enjoy chatting with each other. But have a rule or two for the meeting, so that it does stay based on love and care.
For example we can say: 1-we are here to help and to empower the group (not to discourage each other). 2- We are here to enjoy our time and to help each other and other teachers around the globe.

The teacher friends when gathered, normally tend to help each other when organized to avoid discord. Teacher, when gathered, are seen to be:
A- Giving each other information. How to have a better school life. How to teach easily and successfully. How to make friends with your school's staff and management. ...

B- Giving legal advice, or guide the person to a place where they can get legal advice. There are plenty of free 'Legal Aid' places, even in the 3rd world countries.

C- Giving a hand, if a teacher has to leave a school, so she/he does not feel alone against the world!!

D- Build a Power Group.Most 'bully Employers' are afraid of groups. If in fear, have the group visit each member's school during the break time. Soon the employers get the message that this person is not abusable because he/she is not "alone". (Just about all Orientals, think a 'lone' person is weak and easy to abuse. That's why it is hard to find an oriental person alone!)
Women also will specially benefit from 'showing off their foreign male friends' at their workplaces, if there is a fear of 'sexual harassment', for example.

Also the group can help with simple sharing of info. For example in case of anyone in your group wanting to enter a new contract, with any employer in Korea, Japan, Thailand, China, or anywhere else in the world, you can suggest to them to read this post, before: http://www.geocities.com/victoryolife/contractkr There they will learn a bit about 'how to find tricks in employment contracts', and about 'how to add a sentence in the contract to save them from a year of unhappiness at a school!

IT IS EASY TO BUILD A GOOD SUPPORT GROUP OVER A MONTHS TIME

Lets create the "TEACHERS SIBLINGHOOD" from today, and let it begin with me and you!

What we can do to start a group?
We can give a few fliers to the teachers of the schools nearby, and we can ask them to join if they like, in posting posters in our area and in the main shopping areas where teachers frequent.

The poster, can read something like:
....................
"COME TO TEACHERS PARTY"
We meet at the Joe's Cafe in BMV Mall
This Saturday 7 to 9 PM.
If you see a white man in blue shirt,
wave, and we will meet!
......................

There you can ask them "How can we make a group to really strengthen the teachers position?"

Allow each group the freedom to design its own destiny, at the same time that we all can keep in touch and enrich our international group. The Union will come by itself!

"Think Globally, Act Locally!" Said the Yogi on the rooftop!

.................................

Our friend in Japan! Please tell us more about the union in Japan. It can be a very nice group to join and to build on to!

We grow in happiness and love!
Alan

....................
The frequency of the light from monitors does cause temporary dyslexia in me. I must read my messages after a day or two, so to find the mistakes in it!! Go figure!
So, try to understand my Internet notes, by using dedyslexifier glasses8)

Wow, another ESL scholar and in law! I'm impressed

Well, you must be one of those anti-union idiots that supports big corporations whilst you make peanuts as an ESL teacher. If that werent proof enough that you're a bloody idiot, then here are the facts that you are in fact two points above legally mentally impaired.

First, the guest worker program, as you used in your silly example, is indeed not prohibited from forming a union, striking or making a slow down. Check out the US government's own laws, if you can read that is:

http://www.usda.gov/oce/oce/labor-affairs/mspasumm.htm

Second, and I know you probably never studied history, but there was a famous Mexican named Cesar Chavez that helped unionize poor Mexican migrant workers. Just in case your two neurons banging in your head are not over-worked, you can read about him here:

http://www.sfsu.edu/~cecipp/cesar_chavez/cesarbio5-12.htm

So listen amateur thelaw guy. You're just flat out wrong. Now, you may be right about SOME parts of Asia. But you are NOT correct about Japan. Japan actually has a union for teachers and I can join it if I want. In fact, Japan has a good system of arbitration for ESL teachers. It may not be used or advertised but it exists. I dont know about China or Korea.

Well, I feel that's enough of the facts. I say if you can unionize, strike, or slow down, then so be it. The practicality may be a problem, but it's doable.

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you

> But youd still have to deal with scabs

US visitors with H2-A and H2-B visas are not allowed to go on strike. US-H2-A and H2-B (kind of the equivalent to teachers working visas in Asia). Do the right thing dude. Go back to your country and demonstrate everyday until they change the law. If they do, come back to Asia and unionize all the authorized alien temporary workers.

Are you a drunk???

Are kidding? How would it feel if Asians unionize in my home country? To tell you the truth, I think Id cheer them on too!!! Why, because I hate all over-zealous capitalists. Take the many working poor Mexicans in the United States. Id love it if they could pull off a union. Id laugh, sing and dance. Id donate money to their union.

Please dude, spare me the bleeding heart cultural crap, when in fact it wasnt. People who are abused or mistreated anywhere in the world, no matter their nationality or race, have a right as a human being to NOT be abused, especially for profit. And yes, schools and recruiters have thin profit margins, but thats no excuse for abuse or negligence.

So, yes, if Asians came to America to unionize, Id cheer them on. Sadly, the practicality of this union thing isnt going to fly anyway. But, it was a nice idea. If unions are to be effective, they would have to be formed in the local area. Only local unions have a chance of working. All the teachers in a city could, for example, setup a meeting and deliver notices to local, for-profit schools.

But youd still have to deal with scabs, like the "former English teacher of 9 years" here.

ALL THE LUCK MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS

'The TEACHERS UNION is working for You!'

LETS UNIONIZE

Yes its me, Alan - the evil teacher who is trying to make the lives of ex-pats better, by bringing them together!

We now need constructive ideas on how to UNIONIZE.

1- WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE OUR GOAL/S?

2- HOW CAN WE ORGANIZE A 'ONE UNION FOR ALL TEACHERS' WITH ACTIVE MEMBERS AND LEGAL BRANCHES IN EACH COUNTRY?

3- HOW CAN WE HELP TEACHERS AS A UNION,

A- SO THAT THEY GET GOOD & LEGAL CONDITIONS &FAIR PAYS?

B- GET OUT OF ILLEGAL CONTRACTS

C- GET OUT OF DANGEROUS SITUATIONS

D- ......
4- WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO REGISTER THE UNION, & HOW ?

Add your CONSTRUCTIVE ideas, and we will start a new thread, when we have some good idea where we are going!

Also bear in mind that in a few countries in the Orient, you may get into a lot of trouble if you are known to want to start a union. So, before posting your names and emails, please make sure your country of residence welcomes your new endeavors.

As long as you use the Internet, you can still contact all those you know, and email many of those you don't know, and still have a powerful circle without 'being a show'.

We will finally have to register the union in a "free" country, which will be of no problem, as long as the person/s registering it are in a free country!

Love ya all,
Alan