ゼネラルユニオン・General Union

The HOOK Campaign (Hands Off Our Koma) is the General Union's annual effort to protect university part-time instructors from arbitrary koma cuts. Each year, we submit formal demands to universities listing our members and requiring that their teaching hours and working conditions not be reduced. Universities treat part-time faculty as expendable gap-fillers, cutting their classes whenever curriculum changes occur rather than finding alternative work or restructuring positions. We challenge this disposability mindset by using legal protections under Japan's Labour Contract Law and our collective bargaining power to defend our members' livelihoods.

HOOK キャンペーン（コマ削減阻止キャンペーン！コマを守れ！）は、大学の非常勤講師を一方的なコマ削減から守るための当組合の年次活動です。毎年、当組合員を明記した正式な要求書を大学に提出し、授業時間数や労働条件の削減を行わないよう求めています。大学は非常勤教員を使い捨ての「穴埋め」として扱い、カリキュラム変更があるたびに代替業務や職務再編を検討することなくコマを削減します。当組合は労働契約法による法的保護と団体交渉力を活用し、このような使い捨ての考え方に立ち向かい、組合員の生活を守っています。

www.generalunion.org (06) 6352 9619 [email protected]

2025 HOOK Campaign Universities

40+ universities across Japan received HOOK Demands

Aichi Prefectural University

Aichi Shukutoku University

Bukkyo University

Doshisha University

Doshisha Women's University

Himeji Dokkyo University

Kansai Gaidai University

Kansai University

Kinjo Gakuin University

Kobe City Uni. of Foreign Studies

Kobe College

Kobe International University

Kobe Shoin Women's University

Kobe University

Konan Women's University

Kochi University of Technology

Konan University

Kwansei Gakuin University

Kyoto Notre Dame University

Kyoto Sangyo University

Kyoto Tachibana University

Kyoto Uni. of Foreign Studies

Meijo University

Momoyama Gakuin University

Mukogawa Women's University

Nagoya University

Nagoya Uni. of Arts and Sciences

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies

Nagoya Aoi University

Osaka Jogakuin University

Osaka International University

Osaka Metropolitan University

Osaka University

Osaka University of Commerce

Osaka University of Economics

Ritsumeikan University

Ryukoku University

Seigakuin University

Setsunan University

Shujitsu University

Nanzan University

Toyama Prefectural University

University of Kitakyushu

University of Toyama

HOOK Campaign: Protecting University Part-Time Teachers

What is HOOK?
HOOK stands for "Hands Off Our Koma" – a proactive campaign to protect university part-time teachers from having their classes cut before reductions occur.The Problem
Universities treat part-time teachers as expendable gap-fillers. When curriculum changes happen or departmental needs shift, the default response is simple: eliminate the part-timer. Classes get redistributed internally, and part-time teachers are told "we don't need you anymore."
This isn't about cost – it's about a structural attitude that part-timers are disposable. Universities use curriculum changes as automatic justification to dump part-time staff without restructuring or finding alternative work like they do for permanent employees.Our Approach
HOOK intervenes during the planning phase, before cuts are announced. Once reductions become official, they're challenging to reverse. We submit member lists to universities and formally demand no reduction in teaching hours.
We use Japan's Labour Contract Law, which protects workers with unlimited-term contracts from unilateral changes to working conditions. But our fight extends beyond legal protections – we advocate for all members regardless of contract type.Why It Works
• Timing: We act when decisions are still flexible, not after they're set
• Legal foundation: Contract law backs many of our positions against arbitrary cuts
• Institutional challenge: We force universities to recognize that part-time doesn't mean disposable
• Comprehensive protection: We fight for all members regardless of their contract type
• and when we have to, we fight back.How You Can Get Involved
• Take the survey!. It’s a small step so take an even bigger one and encourage others to do the same. Once we know you’re serious about protecting your rights, we’ll get back to you immediately!
• Order the 2025 HOOK campaign leaflet (see below) for distribution at your university.
• Send us a message telling us that you want to be a contact for the campaign in your workplaceOur Position
Universities must stop treating part-time teachers as expendable. Whether you have an unlimited-term contract or fixed-term agreement, you deserve job security and fair treatment. The General Union stands with all educators against the mindset that any teacher is disposable.Ready to protect your teaching position? Join HOOK and make your voice heard before cuts happen.

ORDER OUR HOOK LEAFLET