Labor mobilizes to help

The AFT is teaming up with the AFL-CIO to support activities that will help our union colleagues and other working families affected by Hurricane Katrina. One way you can help is to contribute to the AFL-CIO’s Union Community Fund, labor’s charity for working families and communities in distress.

The Union Community Fund is a 501(c)(3) public charity, and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent permissible under the law. Visit http://www.aft.org/katrina/to make a contribution. (The AFT is supporting this project in addition to the AFT’s own Disaster Relief Fund.)

The union also is working with the AFL-CIO to help set up labor centers in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Evacuees can go to these centers to get information about obtaining housing and emergency benefits as well as emergency supplies for schools, etc.

In addition, more than a thousand volunteers from union households are expected to bolster Red Cross efforts at various shelters in which displaced survivors are being housed. “Unions are meeting the enormous challenges posed by Katrina by preparing to play a unique and much-needed role in the relief effort,” said AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer Richard Trumka.

Hurricane victims also can call toll-free 877/235-2469 (877/AFL-CIO9) to get assistance from the labor movement.