Unions have done much to support victims of Haiti earthquake
When we first reported on organized labor's efforts to assist victims of the earthquake we said the national nurses union, which is called National Nurses United (NNU), called on its members to volunteer to help in Haiti. Amazingly, thousands of nurses responded to that call! Hundreds of other union members went to an NNU website to contribute money that was used specifically to send many of these nurses to Haiti.
Union members gave generous donations to various organizations such as the American Red Cross and Catholic Charities that had earmarked the contributions for Haitian earthquake relief. Donations made to the AFLO-CIO Solidarity Center's Earthquake Relief for Haitian Workers Campaign was put to use in many valuable ways. This included sending delegations from unions from the neighboring Dominican Republic with truckloads of bottled water, non-perishable food, first aid products, re-hydration liquids and other needed supplies. One of this country's most impoverished areas - the farm worker community of Immokalee, Fla. - did its part, calling for members to contribute. The response, from impoverished workers, was overwhelming, and their union sent all donations to the Red Cross.
Union farm workers in Florida are themselves suffering unemployment due to two weeks of freezing temperatures that destroyed crops across the southern part of the state last month. Yet they responded generously, leading one relief worker to say, "Seeing them stream into the office with water, clothes, and canned food was nothing short of inspiring."
Members of the Seafarers union guided relief boats to Haiti, and members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) also contributed to the effort. Even ALPA members in Canada got involved, flying relief supplies to the Caribbean for the U.S. Agency for International Development. ALPA members who normally work in the arctic flew Hercules aircraft to Haiti. These planes have 6,000 cubic feet of capacity and can carry more than 45,000 pounds of cargo.
There are so many other examples of ways the union movement has provided assistance to the relief effort in Haiti. As most members of our own union are aware, the Hotel Trades Council and Local 6 each contributed $25,000.And the union Plus program has made an extraordinary gesture, pledging to match dollar-for-dollar all donations made to assist the Haitian earthquake relief effort. If you would like to make a contribution and have it matched by union Plus, simply visit the program's website (unionplus.org).
Money contributed at the union Plus website goes to the non-profit Solidarity Center, an AFL-CIO partner organization that supports programs and projects aimed at advancing worker rights and promoting broad-based, sustainable economic development. The center's Education Fund works with union and community partners to respond quickly to natural disasters and aid displaced workers.
Donations made to the Solidarity Center at the union Plus website have been used to send food, clean water, medical supplies, blankets and tents to Haiti. Now, goods are being delivered to the Confederation of Haitian Workers training center, which is providing shelter, food, and medical assistance to hundreds. Right now, shelter remains one of the greatest needs, as one member of our Union can personally confirm. Lia Colas, an employee of the Hilton New York, has opened up her home to relatives who were fortunate enough to be able to get out of Haiti after the earthquake occurred. Currently, Ms. Colas is housing eight adults and children from Haiti in her home.
This kind of assistance is nothing new for Lia, who worked at the Plaza for 15 years before coming to the Hilton New York. For years she has been helping children in Haiti by sending money, food and clothing. It is Lia's hope to build a home in Haiti someday for children to use for meals, schoolwork and other needs. In another example of members of our Union assisting the effort, employees at the Crowne Plaza Manhattan raised over $22,000 for earthquake relief in Haiti, according to banquet captain Ivan Steinberg, who led the collection efforts. All of the money collected was donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, ensuring that the funds would go directly to relief efforts. Also, the hotel hosted a Haitian Earthquake Memorial on February 17, inviting employees of the hotel from Haiti and a priest from St. Malachy's Catholic Church to lead a prayer. Local 6 Business Agent Marie Richard, who is from Haiti, spoke at the service.
There are many other instances of relief efforts in hotels and clubs, and members are welcome to share them with Hotel Voice.
"We are so proud of the way our members have joined the relief effort," Hotel Trades Council President Peter Ward told Hotel Voice. "And the rest of the labor movement deserves credit, too, for the countless examples of financial or personal assistance that has been provided since this tragedy occurred. In the effort to provide relief to Haiti the American labor movement has shown the true meaning of solidarity. As Haiti moves toward reconstruction, the needs of Haitian workers and their families will continue to be great, We thank those who have contributed and urge those who have not yet done so to please consider making a donation to help Haitian workers rebuild their homes and their lives."
(Additional reporting on the story was contributed by H.E.A.T. Supervisor Jessica Edwards.)
