Member Update: Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005

AUPE locals continue to support tsunami disaster relief efforts

EDMONTON — AUPE locals and their members continue to step forward to help fund relief efforts for the Southeast Asia region devastated by a deadly earthquake and tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004.

Two AUPE Education Sector locals in Calgary, Local 052 at the University of Calgary and Local 039 at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, are the most recent locals to step forward, donating a combined $4,200 to the massive international aid effort.

“ We have members from all over the world, and we can certainly relate to the suffering that people are experiencing in Southeast Asia,” said Albi Sole, Chair of Local 052, which represents approximately 2,900 support staff employed at the U of C.

Local 052 recently donated $2,500, while raising another $350 from members, which the Local will match, Sole said.

The $3,200 raised will be donated to the World Job and Food Bank, a Calgary-based charitable organization that recently shipped close to 10 tons of medical supplies and food, including milk powder, dry cereal, rice, canned fruit juices and blankets, to Sri Lanka. Another 20 tons of medical supplies and food is pending.

Within days of the natural catastrophe, AUPE President Dan MacLennan announced the union would donate $15,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to assist in its disaster relief efforts.

MacLennan also sent out an appeal to the union’s 30 locals and its membership to “open their hearts and wallets” to help disaster relief agencies rush aid to villages and coastal communities that were literally swept away by the tsunami.

Local 039 members at SAIT, among others, accepted the president’s call to action, donating $1,000 to the Canadian Red Cross.

“ It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event that has affected so many people from so many nations. The responsibility lies with each one of us to try and help,” said Local 039 Chair Cindy Neufeld. The local represents approximately 600 support staff at SAIT.

“ It’s also a reminder of the ongoing need in other parts of the world, such as Africa. As union members, we have shown in the past that we can make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate and we must continue to step forward.”

Tracy Quinton, Vice-Chair of Local 039, challenged other locals and members to continue to contribute to the tsunami relief effort long after it disappears from the evening news.

“ We wanted to follow the lead set by AUPE Headquarters, which donated $15,000, said Quinton. “I would also like to challenge all AUPE locals to step up and help out where they can.”