The anonymous writer of the Oct. 14 letter "Language schools need regulation" presents a distorted assessment of the role of unions organizing at Nova. For instance, the writer mistakenly states that "no one has talked to Nova management." The General Union has negotiated with Nova for over 15 years. During the current crisis I have been in daily contact with Nova's senior personnel manager.

Unfortunately, the real decision-maker at Nova has refused to deal directly with unions, and with his company on the verge of collapse and the loss of several thousand jobs, he has yet to answer our questions as to what is going on at Nova.

Over the years our work has benefited every single instructor at Nova, whether they know it or not. Back in 1994 Nova tried to force, on penalty of immediate dismissal, all foreign instructors to agree to be tested for the use of drugs. We killed this discriminatory policy, vindicated by a ruling of the Osaka Bar Association. The requirement to test remains in the contract because Nova refuses to admit the error of its ways, but the policy is a dead letter, and always has been. As to barring socialization between students and instructors, again the policy is a dead letter after the work of the unions, though it is still in the contract.

Other major victories at Nova are the end of illegal fines, unemployment insurance coverage for all eligible instructors, and up to double the number of proper paid holidays that Nova previously allowed. If Nova survives, there will be more to do, not the least of which is to get instructors properly covered by health and pension insurance.

I need to emphasize that GU organizes in western Japan. Eastern Japan is covered by Tokyo Nambu, and Kyushu by Fukuoka General Union. We have never refused the membership application of any Nova teacher. We are a bona fide trade union registered with the Ministry of Justice.

dennis tesolat