Sept. 20—As part of the union movement’s ongoing efforts to assist survivors of Hurricane Katrina, the AFL-CIO has established seven Worker Centers throughout the Southeast to provide information and a range of assistance. Meanwhile, the AFL-CIO and Union Community Fund online fund-raising efforts have raised more than $382,000 for Gulf Coast families and national and local unions are continuing their broad outreach efforts to provide financial and material relief.
In Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia and Louisiana, hundreds of union volunteers are staffing Worker Centers and donating their professional skills. At the Atlanta center, members of Communications Workers of America Local 3250 spent 15 hours installing and programming union-donated computers. AFSCME Local 1644 and UAW Local 882 each are providing 10 full-time volunteers for two weeks to work at the center, which is housed in the auditorium of Electrical Workers Local 613. Two local physicians have volunteered their time to work at the center to provide medical care for survivors—writing emergency prescriptions, providing eye exams and more.
Hurricane Survivors Get Wide-Ranging Assistance at Worker Centers
When the Atlanta center opened, survivors were “ecstatic” about having computer access because computers at the shelters always are busy, says Cynthia Ware, AFL-CIO community services liaison in Atlanta. They are searching the Web primarily for loved ones, jobs and housing.
In Houston, as at all seven centers, workers and their families are advised on applying for unemployment benefits and for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and Red Cross, says Richard Shaw, secretary-treasurer of the Harris County Central Labor Council. Housing and employment needs are assessed and referrals provided by union volunteers. If needed, workers’ families are provided immediate help to buy groceries. The centers also are distributing kits with personal hygiene items.
More Union Members Needed to Staff Centers
The centers are in Baton Rouge, La.; Dallas; Houston; Mobile, Ala.; Pearl, Miss.; and San Antonio.
Union members can volunteer by calling centers that need assistance: Atlanta: 404-586-7393; Baton Rouge: 800-383-2464; Dallas: 214-826-4808; Houston: 713-923-9473; Mobile: 251-478-0162; and Pearl: 601-664-6855.
Meanwhile in related news, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff met Sept.16 in Baton Rouge with Fire Fighters President Harold A. Schaitberger and a number of IAFF members from New Orleans and other storm-damaged areas who not only suffered personal losses in the hurricane but stayed on duty to rescue people during the storm and are now playing a huge role in recovery efforts.
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