51st day since the Disaster, 30 April

Japan workers celebrated May Day on 29 April across the country. About 400 JREU and JRU members went to the Central May Day Rally in Tokyo.

The theme was “Revival from the Disaster”.

The message to employers at the rally was: “Do not dismiss contracted and temporary workers.” Many jobs have been lost after the Disaster and 2,000 JREU members are contract workers who can work for five years at most.

31 members lost family and 1297 members lost their homes in the Disaster. Financial security for these people is critical as they begin slowly to rebuild their lives.

Workers are demanding that JRE provide contract workers with regular positions or extend the contract period for more than 5 years.

Thank you for all of your support.

Massa Takahashi
JREU

“The tracks have been damaged in 1700 places” – Extracts from the diary of Massa Takahashi, train driver from the Mito region and Member of the JREU, the RTBU’s sister union

The 28th Day since Disaster, 7 April

Today the leaders of the JREU met in Sendai to review the situation and discuss the vision for relief activities and restoration of the railway in devastated areas.

On the 5^th of April Satoshi Seino, president of the East Japan Railway Company, identified seven local railway lines damaged by the tsunami and announced clearly that JR East Company would restore all off these lines.

According JR East Company, the tracks have been damaged in 1700 places, at 23 stations and a total of 60kms of tracks were washed out along these lines. As these seven lines operate in a low density population area local people are worried the lines might be abolished and union members are on the alert for any suggestion of this.

Thank you for your support.

Massa Takahashi

JREU

“I will be never beaten!” – Extracts from the diary of Massa Takahashi, train driver from the Mito region and Member of the JREU, the RTBU’s sister union

15 March, 5th day of evacuation

We evacuated to a local primary school for shelter.

Sometimes groundless rumors spread, but some information emerged that was true: when we evacuate from leaking radiation we will have to move by ourselves. It began raining. Residents within 20- to 30- km radiuses have been instructed to stay indoors. As the roof of mum’s house is broken I was worrying about her. Around 2pm miso soup was distributed to us. It seemed to be long time since I ate warm meal. It was very delicious and it moved me.

After our decision in the meeting to save electric power, the rooms were dim inside even in daytime. The intercom announced that the pharmacy in the shelter had run out of all medicine but my youngest child still had a fever.

The situation of our members is changing. Because of the increased risk of a nuclear plant accident my fellow workers are leaving their houses behind.

Evacuee numbers in this shelter reduced from 900 to 699 but 5,000 people living in Soma City have already left their homes. We cannot ease the fear of radiation.
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The RTBU has strong and enduring ties with Japan’s Rail Union – the JREU. The JREU is playing an active role supporting its members to cope with the disaster. The NSW Loco Division sends our deepest condolences to our Japanese comrades during this traumatic time.

Below you can read an update to the RTBU from the JREU, as well as a very moving diary account from a JREU member of the impact of days 3 and 4 of the disaster …

“I will be never beaten”  – Diary of Member from JREU in Mito

The 3rd Day of the evacuation life on 13 March started. After waking up I went to my mom’s home where she lived alone. She was clearing clothes, bedclothes, futon and foods as usual. Then we left home, she drove her car.

On the way I dropped in the Nishiuchs’ house, my friend, his wife and two kids were alright but I was surprised when I heard the order of evacuation alert from the nuclear plant blast risk in this area. Then I visited my aunt’s house nearby. She gave me futon, towels and other commodities.

After I returned to my family I took my kids caught cold to the hospital. My health insurance proof was gone to the ocean with my house but a kind doctor took care of them without money and proof.

I met the deputy GM and a foreman of my depot to ensure the safety of employees. They said one train conductor was missing at that time.

Oh my god! When I can supply gasoline to my car? I wonder when the authorities will build temporary housing for us. Tomorrow I should clear my thought. Still shaking by aftershock, I am worrying about accident of nuclear power plant. Bear up, anyway!

Today on 14 March, facility of Fukushima nuclear power reactor exploded. This is third time and critical. We feel fear for exposing radiation even in Tokyo.

At 6am I woke up and went to the place where my house existed. I cannot see anything remained except for foundations of house. Land is covered with a lot of debris and mud. Main road cleared by bulldozer. I cannot see the future.

I got to know that officers from JREU HQs and Tokyo district Office came to Mito area to relief. Each branch in Mito district also takes relief activities for our members. On the other hand a column in today’s Asahi newspaper said “Japan Rail stations shut its door and we cannot enter. As passengers are waiting for bus in the cold outside air JR should open the door and let them in. Formal apology announces of JR is useless”. I agree to him but I guess at the moment staffs of the JR station are also in severe situation. However, I’d like to make the JR East Company to one respected by the public.

This shelter accommodates over 900 people. Evacuees seem to increase.

In solidarity,

Massa Takahashi