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Information Sessions Saturday November 10
Just passing along some about the information sessions to be held this weekend.
IMPORTANT NEWS
The union has spoken with the trustee (保全管理人 HOZEN KANRININ) and we have the following important information.
NOVA will hold two meeting for all employees on SATURDAY, 10 NOVEMBER at 10:00 and 2:00.
The Osaka meetings will be held at the MM centre and the Tokyo meetings will be held at the NOVA Tokyo Head Office. There are another 23 yet undecided locations.
The meeting will be a fully bilingual meeting and will include the following:
a. An explanation from the trustee.
b. An explanation from the new company.
c. An explanation from the Labour Standards Office about the wage protection insurance and unemployment insurance.
Most importantly, the information we have the present time is that the new company will actually take applications and conduct interview on the day. So if you want to work for the new company, this is where you sign up.
Current state
NOVA will remove itself from bankruptcy protection and G Communications will take the remains of NOVA. We do not know what working conditions will be offered, but since there is no hiring at the present moment, we have no one to submit demands to about the current situation.
The union’s goals still remain the same though. To secure similar working conditions to NOVA plus shakai hoken (health and pension insurance), and end one year contracts.
Also, all employees will be terminated from NOVA. This means that you will still be able to claim unemployment insurance even if you haven’t yet quit.
Furthermore, since NOVA will become bankrupt the wage protection fund can now be used and basically 80% of your unpaid wages can be secured.
The union will also hold an information session with both the receiver and the new company on SATURDAY, 10 NOVEMBER from 6:00PM.
Sincerely,
Dennis Tesolat
General Secretary
- Shawn's blog
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Comments
Wicked! I'll be there!
*
Quote:
"Also, all employees will be terminated from NOVA. This means that you will still be able to claim unemployment insurance even if you haven’t yet quit."
Are you (is he) suggesting that people who take jobs with the new company will be able to collect UI? I thought being employed implied that a person is not eligible for UI.
Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
Don't be silly, he means that if you haven't quit until this point, and after listenting to the information you decide that UI is better for you than applying to work for G-Com, then that option will be available to you.
Wow!! it finally seems there is going to be an end to it all .The last 2 months have been a total nightmare for all concerned .I have been following the comments posted on Lets Japan with interest and at times anger / sadness / bewilderment . It has been frustrating having to trawl through all the bigoted, racist and elitist drivel posted by some, just to find some useful information or intelligent comment. I have been one of the many who has been affected by the NOVA is OVA saga, but I count myself fortunate in that I have some money put by and am eligible for UI.My heart goes out to all that are in dire straights .Some of the comments posted have shown a complete lack of compassion for those affected by this fiasco. I feel sadness for these shallow, selfish morons who seem to take great delight in kicking others when there down .I wish everyone the best of luck for the future whatever they decide to do ,leave or stay in Japan. Apply for G-Comm, teach privately, whatever. Just don’t let all the negative shit posted by some bring you down!
Ganbattene
Above poster, /thank/ you. It's about time somebody said it.
I second that opinion!
I agree Kangoshi and couldn't have put it more eloquently! I am one of those affected by all this mess and now have to try to move on so that I can take care of myself and my family. Many of you out there can take the piss all you like and kick us poor saps while we're down, but what if it were you? It could easily be any one of us. Do you really think other language schools are any different or less vulnerable than Nova, a company that had a 64% of the English teaching market at one point? I hope this is a lesson to everyone out there to plan ahead for a rainy day that will hopefully never come. I for one have learned to prepare for every eventuality and be mindful of the future. Good luck to all of those people affected, Japanese and foreign staff alike. I really do feel for all of you and know your pain because it is mine as well. Hopefully this is also a lesson for the government to pay closer attention to fly by night operations like Nova and assholes like old monkey bridge. Here's to him getting everything he deserves!
Thanks to Shawn for posting this "important" notice on his blog.
Is this how we get important information these days or am I missing something? There was no letter or telephone call.It is not even on the Nova site. Maybe they are hoping only a few will actually hear about it to sign up or maybe I just live too far away. I mean they only need about 600 teachers for 30 schools, don't they?
Is it really true that if we can still get UI if we are fired from Nova due to the bankruptcy process and turn down work with G-Com? Does that mean as yet unresigned staff can still get severance documents after tomorrow?
However it was a little hard to find, not on the main announcement bar on the left. But in the "notices to instructors" information on the bottom of the page.
Also, I know many AAMs did do a lot of calling around today. Maybe we can forgive those AAMs who are as sick of this mess as everyone else is and decided to just stay home.
BTW, many thanks kangoshi for one of the best posts I've read throughout this #"$!%&%
I will be attending with a couple friends out of morbid curiosity, but try this out.
The English announcement does not say so, but the one in Japanese has it listed that if staff or instructors get a ryoushuushyo from the train station with your hanko stamped on it, they will reimburse you cash. When my AAM called me today, he said that they gave him cash in hand when he provided it.
The easy thing to do is print the J-version of the page and show the high-lighted little box at the station.
remember this phrase to help you out:
(your station name)kara shinjuku made
kari no bun mo kaitai.
ryoshyousho kudasai!
It's basic but it should get you what you need, for me 3000yen. I'm not going to give any more of my money to them.
They are already trying to give it to you in the poop shoot!
Why not repay the favor.
"(your station name)kara shinjuku made
kari no bun mo kaitai.
ryoshyousho kudasai!"
The second line should be "kaEri no bun" and the third line should have ryoushuushou like you spelt it originally.
Thanks for pointing out that they're doing that though, what a damn injustice!
Attention everyone who has to take public transport to get to an information session:
The Japanese version of the announcement of information sessions on Nova's homepage () at the bottom says you can be reimbursed for travel expenses. Make sure you buy a return ticket, and get a receipt for it (ryoushuushou). They will reimburse you on the day I believe.
Interestingly this information isn't in the English version homepage () which has raised my eyebrow.
I'm looking forward to the meeting, it's time to move on - but I'd just like to remind you that because METI decided to bring down the company - and it was a death sentence - we will pay with one fifth of our salaries and how much grovelling and interest on our credit cards that it takes to get through to our final / next wages..... AND our customers - the people who have really been paying our wages have to pay an extra quarter of their lesson packages to resume their lessons who knows when? Is this how you weed out greedy people? I really feel that METI has a lot to answer for. There were indeed many wrongs to right, but these means will likely not achieve satisfactory ends. Certainly as long as those people who continue to hold the reigns of power are allowed to self righteously go about their duties. Government enquiry please!
I still don't have the answer for this... do we receive it by cheque in the mail in our home countries... or is it deposited into our Japanese bank accounts? Could anyone enlighten me?
as far as i know, you need to have a japanese bank account open for this...presumably, if you a REALLY good friend there might be some way for them to get the cash, then send it to you if yer not in-country...
the union has stated tat if you move in japan. or back home, inform them of your old/new addy, branch, and what not, And they will tell the receiving company where to send your dough.
you can write the union, they have been very good and helpful despite what somefolks have said in here
good luck...oh..come to that nova last gasp meeting today, and there might be more info.
dave
...if there's someone out there who went to one of today's meetings, can you please tell us what happened and what the deal is ? Are they planning any more meetings for those who couldn't make it ? Any news will be gratefully appreciated.
Essentially the meetings was an information session. The topics covered were the efforts the trustees have made on behalf of employees and students, and the reasons for the selection of G-Com. Information was provided regarding unemployment requirements and the steps that need to be taken to apply for wage repayment. G-Com was introduced and people who are still employed by NOVA were invited to apply for re-employment. It was indicated that salaries and positions would be the same as they are now and G-Com would be paying you as soon as you were on their books. They also offered assistance to those instructors who have problems with their rental accomodation. Unfortunately the steps required by those who are still with NOVA and wish to apply for re-employment but who couldn't make the meetings were not elaborated on. I suggest that is this is the situation you find yourself in you contact your AAM or AT. Sorry I cannot provide anymore information.
Information Session Overview
Saturday, November 10th @ 10:00am
The primary speakers (apologies for spelling errors of names):
1) A trustee
2) Mr. Inoyoshi
3) Mr. Ono
4) Government representatives
Where: MM Center in Osaka (two floors), Tokyo Head Office and 24 Branches Across Japan
Time: A little after 10am. There was a small delay since some people couldn't get into the buildings, but negotiations had been made with landlords to use those premises despite the rent not having been paid as of the meeting date.
Available Hand-Outs: Reimbursement for Travel Slip of Paper, Resignation Request, Questionaire, Request for Employment, Reimbursement of Unpaid Wages Information (4-pages of information), Unemployment Insruance Information (9-pages of information)
1) Trustee's Information (via the translator and then summarized)
Everyone who wants to can continue working in Japan for the new company. The negotiations were handled by a team of six lawyers and about twenty staff members in Tokyo Head Office.
Why did they choose G-Education?
As of October 26th, 2007, there were no sponsors, so they invited sponsors and the result was 12 interested parties. There were three main criteria when evaluating the interested parties:
a) Employment should be offered to EVERY employee which included staff, instructors and supervisors
b) Students needed to be protected. Not one sponsor offered to refund students, however, there were offers that included the waiving of entrance fees, a ten percent discount, a fifty percent discount over a six month period, etc. G-Education, however, offered to provide Nova students the use of ALL their tickets at a cost of 25% of the value of those tickets.
c) They wanted to continue the operation of the company across the country and not split it up.
On November 6th, 2007, they reached an agreement and applied for court approval. As of the meeting date, negotiations were ongoing with regards to details and they are making every effort to continue business as smoothly as possible. This business includes branches, Multimedia Center and Nova Kids.
There have been some recent news stories regarding the Ginganet shares and the problems have been resolved. The basic result is that the Ginganet will continue to be used by the Multimedia Center to teach students.
Currently, all branches remain closed for a few reasons. First, there have been numerous complaints from landlords due to the unpaid rent and each landlord will need to be spoken to on an individual-basis. Initially, this will include thirty branches, but will gradually expand to two-hundred. As for the Multimedia Center, this will open as soon as possible. In addition, G-Education wants to re-open branches so that there will be no student complaints about being unable to book lessons, so they need to make sure staffing needs are met for each location.
The trustee mentioned receiving numerous phone calls from staff and students regarding the situation and it has prevented him from doing his job. He reiterated many times over that ALL people will be offered the opportunity to continue working and the conditions offered will be the SAME as they were with Nova. There are concerns about the expiry of instructor contracts and with social insurance benefits, but they hope to resolve these once people start working for the new company. (Note: The trustee mentioned shakai hoken specifically, but the translator generalized this as social insurance).
People who wish to be employed with G-Education must submit a Resignation Request form, Request for Employment Form and Questionaire. G-Education will conduct short interviews with everyone, however, after spending a lot of time the previous day with staff it was deemed too long and there were too many people attending the morning meeting. Questions that need to be answered are basically where people currently are located (where they worked when Nova's operations ceased), what their responsibilities were at that time, where people are living (for example, Nova accomodation) and whether or not they are interested in working for G-Education. People will be hired unless they have another employer and each individual will be contacted by telephone. In addition, in order to work for G-Education, people must resign from Nova.
It is also very important to note that G-Education will evaluated "desperate situations" on an individual basis and during each telephone interview will evaluate each person's needs. This could include payment daily or weekly, etc. DISCUSS YOUR PERSONAL FINANCIAL SITUATION WITH THE G-EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE THAT CONTACTS YOU AND INDICATE WHAT YOU NEED IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES AND PLAN TO WORK FOR THE COMPANY. As soon as people start to work for G-Education they will begin to earn their full salary (more to come below under "Question and Answer").
For those who do NOT wish to work for G-Education will receive ONE MONTH NOTICE and you will be eligible for unemployment insurance. It goes without saying that those who work for G-Education will NOT be eligible for unemployment insurance.
With regards to unpaid wages, these will be reimbursed through the government only. THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND WELFARE HAS PLEDGED HIS FULL COOPERATION - ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES WILL DEFINITELY RECEIVE THE 80% REIMBURSEMENT OF UNPAID WAGES. More information is detailed below.
2) Mr. Inoyoshi
They intend to do all they can to help, but it is difficult for the company as well. They have to guarantee ALL salaries, but not one branch is open.
He mentioned the following in a joking manner - Who is he? He just buys companies? He confirmed that yes, the organization has purchased companies and their goals are simple - they want to rise to the challenge of rebuilding Nova.
He indicated that many things will need to change. It is impossible to open 900 branches and maintain a large head office. He referenced Toyota has a comparison to the head office maintained at Nova and said this will need to be reduced/eliminated. He did not indicate which specific jobs this impacted. In addition, the company can't open the thirty branches now because there are problems with the landlords, they don't have the keys for the branches and they are unaware of actual staff/instructor numbers. In the end, when they open branches it will be with a "strong financial basis".
The conditions at G-Education will NOT worsen per Mr. Inoyoshi, and they will remain the same as before, but there may be a slight increase in commuting time only. (There was a translation error here as the translator indicated that "work time" may increase, but this was clarified as an error. If you hear the work time will increase do NOT take this as fact as this was not confirmed by Mr. Inoyoshi and corrected by the translator.)
Mr. Inoyoshi (per translator): "Let's enjoy working together from now on"
3) Mr. Ono
G-Education has 880 juku schools and many of their teachers and students attend both their juku schools and Nova. In fact, Mr. Ono indicated that two of his three children attended Nova Kids and really liked their instructor there.
The company has received a lot of pressure from customers who indicated that the service levels were good, the teachers were good and that students wanted branches opened as soon as possible. Mr. Ono indicated that they do want to make things as they were before due to this feedback.
Mr. Ono indicated that they are expecting angry students at branches so they need to be thorougly prepared for this when they re-open the branches and they need to better than they were before. In other words, they aim to make the new Nova better than the old Nova. To do this, they need employee support and cooperation. In exchange, they are offering the same work conditions employees currently have and will maintain positions of responsibility (ex. TI's or AT's, etc.).
Question and Answer Period
(Note: Not all questions are noted here. If you recall information that was mentioned at the information sessions please add the details.)
a) G-Education will pay 100% of employee salaries even if the branch is not yet open provided that the individuals are indeed employees.
b) People should get paid at the end of the month unless they have a job somewhere else.
c) ALL language instructors, regardless of language, are being re-employment.
d) G-Education will negotiate with landlords of buildings and apartments they wish to keep. For those they don't, instructors will be asked to move, but instructors can request assistance with moving costs. (If this is applicable to your situation, please discuss this with the G-Education representative who will be contacting you shortly if you were at the meeting and submitted the appropriate forms)
4) Government Representatives
(Note: This is where the translations became choppy and at times not understandable due to contradictions. This information is summarized via the paperwork provided.)
Unpaid Wages
Contact Information:
Japan Labour Health and Welfare Organization
Wages and Assistance Department
Consultation Office for Replacement Payment
Solid Square East Bldg.
580 Horikawa-cho, Saiwai-ku
Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 212-0013
Phone: 044-556-9881
URL: http://www.rofuku.go.jp
Summary: Until Nova applies for bankruptcy officially people can't receive reimbursement. Once the trustees file the appropriate documents all employees who resigned or continue to work for the company will receive 80% of their unpaid wages. IF WAGES ARE 20,000 YEN OR LESS, NO PAYMENT WILL BE ISSUED. All employees who resigned within a six month period prior to the bankruptcy and didn't receive payment will be eligible to a ceiling cap. In addition, they will need to complete paperwork that will be mailed to each person (so make sure they have your current address) and these people will continue to be eligible for a total of 1.5 years after bankruptcy, so be sure to apply before this point.
The ceiling caps are as follows (based on age as of the date of "retirement" which could mean October 26th or the date of bankruptcy - if you changed brackets during this time contact the office directly).
a) Individuals aged 45+ have a ceiling of unpaid wages of 3,700,000yen and the replacement payment is capped at 2,960,000yen
b) Individuals between 30 and 44 have a ceiling of unpaid wages of 2,200,000yen and the replacement payment is capped at 1,760,000yen
c) Individuals under 30 have a ceiling of unpaid wages of 1,100,000yen and the replacement payment is capped at 880,000yen
Please note that unpaid wages is limited to the periodic wages and the retirement allowance (if you received a retirement allowance from Nova, please contact the government agency directly for details). Company housing fees, purchase cost of goods from the company, repayment for a loan and "others" (including travel reimbursement) are EXCLUDED from unpaid wages. If you have any questions regarding the amount owing to you, contact the government agency directly.
Unemployment Insurance
Summary (Pages 3-4 of hand-out):
The objective is to support those seeking re-employment. Those who are unable to work immediately due to illness, injury, pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, etc. are NOT eligible. The person must be in a state of unemployment and available to take up a job at any time. In addition, because Nova went bankrupt, people must have worked for the company for a minimum of six months (of which one month has at least 11 days employed).
Payment of benefits: People under 45 are eligible for 90 days of payments unless they worked there for more than five years. People between 45 and 59 are eligible for unemployment for 90 days unless they worked there for more than a year, then they are eligible for 180 days. Payments range from between 50-80% and is limited to 7775yen per day. For more information locate your local Hello Work office.
Summary (Pages 6-7, 9):
To Those Who Have Left Nova...
Apply to Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners (below or to the one closest to you)
Address: Osaka-Ekimae Second Bldg, 15F, 1-2-2, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi
Nearest Station: JR Kita-shinchi station, 1 minute on foot / JR Osaka Station, 12 minutes on foot
Business Hours: 10:00-17:00 Monday through Friday, except National Holidays
http://osaka-rodo-go.jp/hw/gaisen
Necessary Documents:
1. Separation Notice (two parts)
2. Certificate of the insured - employment insurance
3. Alien Registration Card
4. Recent photographs (2-copies): 3cm in lengthx2.5cm in width, from the waist up photo with full face
5. Ordinary bank account book in your name. Internet bank and foreign financial institution accounts are NOT acceptable.
For those who have left their jobs following two or more months in succession when their wages have not been made on the payment due date, bring all the above AND...
6. Notice of Employment
7. The bank account book which the wages have been paid into
Page 7 of the hand-out includes a map to the Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners. This includes the following contact information:
Address: 530-0001, 1-2-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka, OSaka Ekimae Daini-Bldg 15th Floor
Tel: 06-6344-1135
Fax: 06-6344-1134
Email:
URL: http://osaka-rodo.go.jp/hw/gaisen
Hours: 10:00-17:00 Monday to Friday excluding National Holidays
Access: Umeda (Midosuji Line), HigashiUmeda (Tanimachi Line), NishiUmeda (Yotsubashi Line), Osaka Station (JR), Kitashinchi (Tozai Line), Umeda (Hankyu/Hanshin)
Page 9 requested that you contact the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau for "status of residence" and included a map. This would be important for those who are concerned about working visa limitations, etc. The contact information:
Osaka Second Legal Affairs Joint Government Bldg. 5F, 2-1-17 Tani-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka
Tel: 06-6941-0771
(Note: There were times when it was difficult to hear due to noise level and sound problems. If you were present at an Information Session and have information to add, please mention it. The author apologizes for any repetition and wishes it could be more brief, however, there are a lot of misconceptions out there and this should help clarify many of those.)
Nan ! I don't suppose they mentioned exactly which schools they will be keeping open, did they ?
I couldnt make the meetings. I only saw the news on which it said teachers are guaranteed their jobs if they want them. How can they promise this? They cant possibly guarantee that enough students will return and pay enough to cover our salaries. And where will we work? Did they say what schools will open? And how can a few thousand teachers fit into only 30 schools? I was always bad at maths but I'm confident the numbers don't work. And when will we start? There are too many questions. I want to stay here but it seems too insecure for me. I have another job offer overseas that I think I will take, reluctantly.
So did any starving ex Nova teachers partcipate in the unions glorious request to teach english for food?
God I hate this union..about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike! Fuckin' tossers!!
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SATURDAY.
The union is making a nationwide appeal to all Nova teachers and all Nova students to meet in front of their closed Nova schools at 12 NOON on Saturdays, starting this Saturday 10th November. If teachers and the students they used to teach haven’t been able to hook up yet to continue lessons, this is the opportunity. The time is just before lunchtime so it’s ideal to go from the schools to local restaurants, coffee shops, or wherever people want to go. Of course, everyone can then arrange their own lesson schedules and what will be given in exchange for them.
Let’go BACK-TO-SCHOOLl!
Sorry they did not say which schools would be opened. My impression is that the decision about number of schools and locations is dependent on staffing. The said they dont want to do a NOVA...make promises and not deliver.
Any idea how we go about signing up for the interview if we werent at the information seminar today?
Any idea where interview will be - any in Nagoya?
Thanks to all for info.
stop crying nova idiots
Do-nothing METI was finally forced to punish Nova, which was going down anyway, after massive amounts of consumer complaints. Their actions only hurried the demise of a company that deserved to die.
Anyone with any sense should have seen this coming. Besides, companies go down all the time. Stop crying and move on. There are many people in the world a lot worse off than you are.
The idiots who kept working even after it was confirmed Nova would not pay are the biggest idiots on this whole sorry affair. I hope none of you dorks gets a penny.
Back to School Saturday was a raging success here in Taisho, Osaka. I got to my old branch at around 10am and before I knew two of my old students rocked up with their trusty old Diplomats a McPork burger from Maccas and a piece of day old onigiri for me. We chatted and caught up on all the gossip about Sahashi and Nova etc...then we sat on a bench at the bus stop for our lesson (about 40mins..I figured that's their moneys worth)
I know was supposed to go to the meeting at the MM Centre today but this was just to good to pass up.
Thanks to Bob and all those wonderful people at the union for suggesting this great idea! Who needs to look for work?!
Can't wait for next Saturday!
Bye now.
The impression (and a little info from AAM) I got from the meetings is that they will open 30 schools initially (probaly a main one in each area?), find out how many instructors and staff they have and open more schools depending on number of staff and instructors. Which ones? ?????? Sorry. Can't help you.
And as for for Mr. stop crying nova idiots, who let him onto this page?
The meeting was great!! I've been to the one in Osaka and was really impressed by the new company. I am so glad that I went to the meeting. Can't wait to start working for G-Com. And the so called Nova Union it's all over for them. There was one guy handing out flyers, he was booed out of the meeting. It was greeeet! There were loosers from the beginning. Hope not to see them again.!!
...thank you so much for all your effort. I really appreciate it !
There is a post on the G-comm webpage http://www.g-com.jp/1106nova/
It invites people to view the renovation of the school in Nagoya and explains it is the first school to open on the 14th of November.
Thanks to everyone for being so helpful with your posts.
The Interview was short, I would recommend that you either call your AT, AAM, or, call Foreign Personnel about it. You are a little late, but you can simply say that you were not informed. But all you have to do is fill out some paper work, and get it in to them.
Best of luck.
does this mean they will be calling all the instructors who used to work for nova or just the people who went to the meeting on Saturday ? Thanks for all the info !
I am betting given the number of people that when they will just call the people that went and handed in the forms. If you are interested you should call them.
I'm betting given the number of people that went that they will just call the people that went and handed in the forms. If you are interested you should call them.
Yeah it's all METI's fault dude. Stupid government holding people accountable to the law and all. Nova didn't do anything, it was a witch hunt by METI against an otherwise upstanding and reputable company. Poor Sahashi. WTF.
What did this mean? The guy first explained this word's use by referring to people who already had new employment or who didn't want to work for G-corp as exceptions- well, DUH. But then he seemed to say it again anyway in reference to everyone else. As a teacher living in a relatively remote area with a wife and baby not wanting to move at all, I feel really insecure about the vague nature of G Corporation's promises.
I was really disappointed in the quality of information given at the session by the President, the quality of the questions asked by those lucky enough to go to the osaka/tokyo session (I had to witness the whole mess in an outlying branch) and the lack of critical response since then.
The whole set-up seemed to discourage any real enquiries about what the company would really do for us, and it was (intentionally?) disempowering in that we had to swallow all this and put our signatures on some forms directly afterwards, in order to be offered employment. They said that the resignations were not final (or formal? i couldn't hear clearly) when they mentioned the correction despite the words saying 'please accept this as formal notice of my resignation'.
What kind of deal did the recievers really do?
And who is that twit above who was so impressed with the new company? No way.
I`m just wondering if anyone has heard of any ex-Nova-ite getting unemployment insurance? I know it takes some time but I haven`t read of anyone as yet receiving it.????