＜Beginner＞ Lesson No.30
Preparing for Negotiations with International Labor Unions / 国際労働組合との交渉準備
０．Greetings & Ice-break (2min.)｜挨拶と導入
0-1 Greetings
Let’s practice a short small talk that you can use to greet a business partner and start building a good relationship.
講師との挨拶を兼ねて、ビジネスパートナーと信頼関係を築くための短いスモールトークを練習してみましょう。
[Tips / 会話のヒント]
・Can you hear me clearly?
私の声はクリアに聞こえますか？
・How's your day going so far?
今日はどんな一日でしたか？
・Talk about one small topic (Work, Weather, News, Hometown, Sports event, etc.)
軽い話題について話しましょう（仕事、天気、ニュース、地元、スポーツイベントなど）
0-2 Introduction
In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about the following situation. Have you ever experienced something similar?
本日のレッスンでは以下のようなシチュエーションについて学びます。同様のシチュエーションを経験したことがありますか？
- If you have experience, please tell us what it was like, what was difficult, or what you learned.
経験があれば、どんな内容だったか、難しかったことや学んだことなどを教えて下さい。
- If you don’t have experience, try to imagine yourself handling that situation in English.
What do you think would be challenging?
経験がなければ、英語でその状況に対応しているところを想像してみましょう。どんなことが難しそうですか？
Situation / シチュエーション
A labor union representative from an overseas subsidiary is requesting negotiations for improved working conditions.
海外子会社の労働組合代表が労働条件改善について交渉を申し入れる場面です。
1. Read (2 min)｜型を学ぶ
Let's read the following key sentences aloud!
下記の文章や単語を順番に音読しましょう！
1-1 Basic phrases
１．Let me explain our situation...（状況を説明させてください...）
２．We are prepared to discuss...（...について話し合う準備ができています）
３．We can agree to reduce...（...を削減することに同意できます）
４．We can offer a...（...を提案できます）
５．This approach allows us to...（このアプローチにより...できます）
６．Let me offer a compromise...（妥協案を提示させてください...）
７．We will set the limit at...（上限を...に設定します）
1-2 Essential words
１．appreciate（感謝する）
２．decrease（減少する）
３．balance（バランスを取る）
４．require（求める）
５．increase（引き上げる）
６．essential（不可欠な）
７．agree（同意する）
８．gradually（段階的に）
９．compromise（妥協案）
１０．confirm（確認する）
2. Try (3 min)｜ロールプレイ練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう！
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
A labor union representative from an overseas subsidiary is requesting negotiations for improved working conditions.
海外子会社の労働組合代表が労働条件改善について交渉を申し入れる場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
Thank you for meeting with us today. We need to discuss several urgent concerns from our members regarding working conditions. Can you explain the company's current position on overtime limits and wage adjustments?
（本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。組合員から労働条件に関するいくつかの緊急の懸念が寄せられています。残業時間の上限と賃金調整について、会社の現在の立場を説明していただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
I appreciate your raising these issues. Let me explain our situation clearly. Our revenue decreased by 8 percent last quarter due to market conditions, so we need to balance cost management with employee welfare. We are prepared to discuss realistic improvements within our current budget constraints.
（これらの問題を提起していただき感謝します。状況を明確に説明させてください。市場環境により前四半期の収益が8パーセント減少したため、コスト管理と従業員の福祉のバランスを取る必要があります。現在の予算制約の範囲内で現実的な改善について話し合う準備ができています。）
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
We understand the financial pressure, but our members are working excessive overtime without proper compensation. We require that you reduce the monthly overtime limit to 45 hours and increase the overtime pay rate by 15 percent. These are essential for worker health and fairness.
（財政的なプレッシャーは理解していますが、組合員は適切な報酬なしに過度の残業をしています。月間残業時間の上限を45時間に削減し、残業手当の支給率を15パーセント引き上げることを求めます。これらは労働者の健康と公平性にとって不可欠です。）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
I understand your concerns about overtime. We can agree to reduce the monthly limit to 50 hours starting next month. However, a 15 percent pay increase is difficult right now. We can offer a 5 percent increase this year and review it again in 6 months based on our financial recovery. This approach allows us to improve conditions gradually while maintaining business stability.
（残業に関するご懸念は理解しています。来月から月間上限を50時間に削減することに同意できます。ただし、15パーセントの賃金引き上げは現時点では困難です。今年は5パーセントの引き上げを提案し、財務回復状況に基づいて6か月後に再度見直すことができます。このアプローチにより、事業の安定性を維持しながら段階的に条件を改善できます。）
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
50 hours is still too high, and 5 percent is not enough. Our members are experiencing serious health issues. Could you consider 45 hours and at least 10 percent? We also request that you provide additional paid leave days for workers who complete overtime beyond 40 hours per month.
（50時間はまだ高すぎますし、5パーセントでは不十分です。組合員は深刻な健康問題を抱えています。45時間と最低10パーセントを検討していただけますか？また、月40時間を超える残業を完了した労働者に追加の有給休暇日数を提供することも要求します。）
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
I hear your concerns about health. Let me offer a compromise. We will set the limit at 47 hours and provide 2 additional paid leave days per quarter for workers exceeding 40 hours monthly. For the pay rate, we can increase it to 7 percent now and commit to another 5 percent increase if our revenue improves by 10 percent within the next 9 months. We will also arrange regular health check programs for all employees. This plan addresses your key priorities while keeping the company financially viable.
（健康に関するご懸念は理解しています。妥協案を提示させてください。上限を47時間に設定し、月40時間を超える労働者に四半期ごとに2日の追加有給休暇を提供します。支給率については、現在7パーセントに引き上げ、今後9か月以内に収益が10パーセント改善すれば、さらに5パーセントの引き上げを約束します。また、全従業員向けの定期健康診断プログラムも手配します。この計画は、会社の財務的実行可能性を維持しながら、主要な優先事項に対応します。）
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
Thank you for the detailed proposal. The 47-hour limit and health programs are positive steps. We accept your offer on the condition that you confirm the second pay increase in writing and begin the health check programs within 2 months. We look forward to working together to improve conditions for everyone.
（詳細な提案をありがとうございます。47時間の上限と健康プログラムは前向きな一歩です。2回目の賃金引き上げを書面で確認し、2か月以内に健康診断プログラムを開始することを条件に、提案を受け入れます。全員の条件改善に向けて協力できることを楽しみにしています。）
3. Use (4 min)｜ロールプレイ & 実践（空欄補完）
Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
A labor union representative from an overseas subsidiary is requesting negotiations for improved working conditions.
海外子会社の労働組合代表が労働条件改善について交渉を申し入れる場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
Thank you for meeting with us today. We need to discuss several urgent concerns from our members regarding working conditions. Can you explain the company's current position on overtime limits and wage adjustments?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
I ［感謝する］ your raising these issues. Let me explain our situation clearly. Our revenue ［減少する］d by 8 percent last quarter due to market conditions, so we need to ［バランスを取る］ cost management with employee welfare. We are prepared to discuss realistic improvements within our current budget constraints.
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
We understand the financial pressure, but our members are working excessive overtime without proper compensation. We require that you reduce the monthly overtime limit to 45 hours and increase the overtime pay rate by 15 percent. These are essential for worker health and fairness.
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
I understand your concerns about overtime. We can ［同意する］ to reduce the monthly limit to 50 hours starting next month. However, a 15 percent pay ［引き上げる］ is difficult right now. We can offer a 5 percent ［引き上げる］ this year and review it again in 6 months based on our financial recovery. This approach allows us to improve conditions ［段階的に］ while maintaining business stability.
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
50 hours is still too high, and 5 percent is not enough. Our members are experiencing serious health issues. Could you consider 45 hours and at least 10 percent? We also request that you provide additional paid leave days for workers who complete overtime beyond 40 hours per month.
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
I hear your concerns about health. Let me offer a ［妥協案］. We will set the limit at 47 hours and provide 2 additional paid leave days per quarter for workers exceeding 40 hours monthly. For the pay rate, we can ［引き上げる］ it to 7 percent now and commit to another 5 percent ［引き上げる］ if our revenue improves by 10 percent within the next 9 months. We will also arrange regular health check programs for all employees. This plan addresses your key priorities while keeping the company financially viable.
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
Thank you for the detailed proposal. The 47-hour limit and health programs are positive steps. We accept your offer on the condition that you confirm the second pay increase in writing and begin the health check programs within 2 months. We look forward to working together to improve conditions for everyone.
4. Challenge (7 min)｜応用実践
Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
*Let's practice this part repeatedly until we can speak it smoothly.
このパートはスムーズにスピーキングできるようになるまで繰り返し練習しましょう。
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
A labor union representative from an overseas subsidiary is requesting negotiations for improved working conditions.
海外子会社の労働組合代表が労働条件改善について交渉を申し入れる場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
Thank you for meeting with us today. We need to discuss several urgent concerns from our members regarding working conditions. Can you explain the company's current position on overtime limits and wage adjustments?
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
I appreciate your raising these issues. ［状況を明確に説明させてください。］ Our revenue decreased by 8 percent last quarter due to market conditions, so we need to balance cost management with employee welfare. ［現在の予算制約の範囲内で現実的な改善について話し合う準備ができています。］
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
We understand the financial pressure, but our members are working excessive overtime without proper compensation. We require that you reduce the monthly overtime limit to 45 hours and increase the overtime pay rate by 15 percent. These are essential for worker health and fairness.
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
I understand your concerns about overtime. ［来月から月間上限を50時間に削減することに同意できます。］ However, a 15 percent pay increase is difficult right now. ［今年は5パーセントの引き上げを提案し、財務回復状況に基づいて6か月後に再度見直すことができます。］ This approach allows us to improve conditions gradually while maintaining business stability.
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
50 hours is still too high, and 5 percent is not enough. Our members are experiencing serious health issues. Could you consider 45 hours and at least 10 percent? We also request that you provide additional paid leave days for workers who complete overtime beyond 40 hours per month.
🧑🎓【Student / HR Manager】:
I hear your concerns about health. Let me offer a compromise. We will set the limit at 47 hours and provide 2 additional paid leave days per quarter for workers exceeding 40 hours monthly. For the pay rate, we can increase it to 7 percent now and commit to another 5 percent increase if our revenue improves by 10 percent within the next 9 months. We will also arrange regular health check programs for all employees. This plan addresses your key priorities while keeping the company financially viable.
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
Thank you for the detailed proposal. The 47-hour limit and health programs are positive steps. We accept your offer on the condition that you confirm the second pay increase in writing and begin the health check programs within 2 months. We look forward to working together to improve conditions for everyone.
\ If you have some extra capacity, give it a try（余力があればやってみましょう）/
5. Real-world application (5 min)｜実務応用
Let's speak freely with the phrases and flow we learned today. If you can, imagine your real job—it makes practice more effective.
本日学習した単語やフレーズ、会話の流れを思い出しながら、自由に話してみましょう。可能であれば、自身の実務を想像しながら話すと効果的です。
Situation / シチュエーション
The union representative is requesting improvements to working conditions including overtime limits and wage increases.
The HR manager must explain the company's financial situation and discuss realistic improvements within budget constraints.
労働組合代表が残業時間の上限や賃金引き上げを含む労働条件の改善を要求している。
人事担当者は会社の財務状況を説明し、予算制約内で現実的な改善について話し合う必要がある。
👨💼【Teacher / Union Representative】:
We need to discuss working conditions today. Our members are concerned about overtime hours and compensation levels. Can you share your thoughts on possible improvements?
（本日は労働条件について話し合う必要があります。組合員は残業時間と報酬水準について懸念しています。改善の可能性についてお考えを共有していただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)
Hints / ヒント
１．Explain the company's financial situation（会社の財務状況を説明する）
２．Discuss realistic improvements within budget（予算内で現実的な改善を話し合う）
３．Offer a compromise on working conditions（労働条件について妥協案を提示する）
４．Confirm the agreement in writing（合意を書面で確認する）
※This is not a role-play. Please speak until you finish your thoughts.
このパートはロールプレイ形式ではありません。最後まで通して話してみましょう。
6. Wrap-up (2 min) ｜レッスンの振り返り
Let's review today's lesson with your teacher!
今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう！
6-1 Comments from student
・Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
・Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ
6-2 Feedback from teacher
・Good points / 良かった点
・Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
・What to review / 復習ポイント
*6-3 Questions from student (if any)
Japanese translation（日本語訳）
1. Read (2min)（型を学ぶ）｜基本フレーズ
2. Try (4min)（ロールプレイ練習）｜型を使った練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう！
3. Use (7min)｜応用
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
4. Challenge (7min)｜実践
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
5. Wrap-up (3min) – レッスンの振り返り
"Let’s review today’s lesson with your teacher!”
「今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう！」
5-1. Comments from Student
- Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
- Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ
5-2. Feedback from Teacher
- Good points / 良かった点
- Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
- What to review / 復習ポイント
5-3. Question from Students (If any)