Members, local unions and joint councils affiliated with Teamsters Canada raised $146,951 for the Canadian Red Cross to help the people of Fort McMurray and of the surrounding communities.
“Our immediate priority is supporting the Red Cross and their excellent work,” explained François Laporte, the President of Teamsters Canada. “We’re also in the process identifying ways to directly assist individual Teamster members who were affected by the fires.”
The Teamsters Union continued to actively support workers during the wildfires. Local unions strived to ensure that health & welfare benefits remained in place and worked with employers to ensure the best interests of members.
Members who believe they still require special assistance from the Teamsters Union are invited to contact Local Union 362 or Local Union 987.
Tragedy
Sadly, the grandchild of retired bus drivers from Local Union 362 was killed in a car accident while fleeing the wildfires.
“We keep hearing that nobody died during the wildfires, but that isn’t quite true,” commented François Laporte. “Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased.”
Teamsters Bravely Work Through the Disaster
Disasters such as these tend to bring out the best in everyone. Hundreds of Teamsters, for example, bravely worked through the catastrophe and helped in whatever way possible.
Teamster bus drivers shuttled evacuees and brought water to camps. Railway workers also prevented another Lac-Mégantic by moving hazardous and flammable rail cars out of areas that were too close to the fires.
“The way our members reacted to this tragedy makes me proud to be a Teamster,” added the union leader. “We’re so grateful for their hard work.”
The Teamsters Union is asking Canadians to give generously to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 30333 or by making a donation at redcross.ca
Canadians can also donate to a relief fund for Teamster members by contacting Local Union 362
“I’d like to thank local unions and members from across the country for their exceptional generosity,” concluded Laporte. “Their contributions clearly demonstrate our solidarity with Albertans during these tough times.”
Teamsters Canada represents 120,000 members in Canada in all industries. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.