CUPE 951

Fort McMurray wildfire relief fund

By admin May 10, 2016 Communications, Media, Political Action

CUPE BC donates $20,000 to Fort McMurray wildfire relief fund

A giant fireball is seen as a wildfire rips through the forest along Highway 63, 16kilometres south of Fort McMurray, Alta., Saturday, May 7, 2016. Wildfire experts say dangers from the Fort McMurray fire won't end when the flames stop.Officials from California, where wildfires burn residential areas every summer, say ash left behind in a city is considerably more dangerous than ash from a burned forest.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

A giant fireball is seen as a wildfire rips through the forest along Highway 63, 16kilometres south of Fort McMurray, Alta., .THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

BURNABY – CUPE BC’s executive board has unanimously voted to donate $20,000 to CUPE’s National Disaster Relief Fund, with all proceeds to going directly to the communities impacted by this disaster.

“More than 2000 of our CUPE sisters, brothers and friends live and work in the Fort McMurray area,” said CUPE BC President Paul Faoro. “And sadly we know that many of them have lost their homes or their workplaces—or both—and we want to ensure we assist them as directly as possible.”

Following consultation with CUPE Alberta, CUPE National established a CUPE National Disaster Relief Fund – Wildfires in Northern Alberta. The fund will hold donations from CUPE divisions and locals across the country.

“It’s important for CUPE members who experience devastating hardship like this to know their union has their back, and that that support comes from every region of the country,” said CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Trevor Davies. “I know if our members in British Columbia faced a similar situation that CUPE locals across the country would do the same as we’re doing. That’s what solidarity is all about.”

Davies said that CUPE BC is encouraging CUPE locals across B.C. to consider making a donation to the national fund.

“Locals or District Councils that are able to assist CUPE members in the Fort McMurray area should contact our office for more information on how to make the donation,” said Davies.