Working people across the United States are stepping up to help friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times.
After Hurricane Ida made landfall on Aug. 29 as a Category 4 storm, members of the Fire Fighters (IAFF) swung into action from a command center in Baton Rouge, La., assessing damage and responding to requests for assistance from members affected by the storm.
IAFF had received 111 total requests for assistance as of Sept. 2 and is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund.
“Disaster relief is just one more way the IAFF protects our members and their families,” says General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma. “Through our district vice presidents, we will establish communications with our members in the affected area and quickly get them the resources they need to recover.”
Donations to the IAFF’s Disaster Relief Fund can be made by visiting My.IAFF.org/Disaster.
TEACHERS
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has opened its Disaster Relief Fund to help the school bus drivers, teachers, school cafeteria workers, college faculty, graduate workers, other school staff and nurses affected by the hurricane.
“As a union family, it’s up to us to step up and help,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said.
Even as the storm rolled through Louisiana, hospitals stayed open, with nurses putting their own safety on the line to care for their patients as COVID-19 continued to ravage the area.
“Hurricane Ida is the most recent and upsetting reminder of how climate change is affecting our communities and causing more extreme weather,” Weingarten said. “Fighting for solutions to the climate crisis is something we’re committed to, both in and out of the classroom. Our educators teach their students about climate science and sustainability, and as a union we fight for investment in greener infrastructure for a safer, healthier future.”
Donations to AFT’s Disaster Relief Fund can be made online by visiting https://www.aft.org/disaster-relief-fund.
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