How to Help Earthquake/Tsunami Victims in Japan

CWA President Larry Cohen received a letter of thanks from ICTJ President Tomoyasu Kato.

CWA has been in contact with President Tomoyasu Kato of the Japanese Federation of Information and Communications Technology Service Workers, which, along with NWJ, Japan's telecom workers union, is helping workers and family members in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

The disaster has left more than 300,000 people homeless; the death toll has risen to 9,700 and 16,000 people still are missing.

Immediately after the disaster, the ICTJ moved to confirm the safety of members, families and retired members, and to assess the damages. Many remain missing. ICTJ members also are doing recovery work on a round-the-clock schedule, installing free public-phones and temporary phones, and providing satellite telephones. The recovery period will be long, the ICTF said.

CWA is encouraging locals and members to support relief efforts by contributing to CWA's Japan Tsunami Relief Fund. Checks made payable to "CWA Japan Tsunami Relief" can be mailed to the CWA Secretary-Treasurer, 501 Third St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.

CWA also is contributing to the relief efforts.

NWJ has been a partner with CWA for many years on telecom issues, and has been a big part of the effort to ensure workers' bargaining and organizing rights around the globe.

During the 17-week strike by CWA members at NYNEX in 1989, NWJ loaned our union $16 million, without CWA even asking, after the strike fund was depleted. That allowed our strike to remain virtually 100 percent solid, a successful fight for justice.