The Guardian 11 February, 2009

Unions pledge $250,000 to Red Cross appeal

The Australian Council of Trade Unions has expressed its sadness and condolences at the tragic loss of more than 100 lives in the bushfires that swept Victoria.

The ACTU and its affiliates have pledged at least $250,000 to the national appeal for the victims of the bushfires, and called on Australia's 2 million union members and their families to dig deep.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow said union leaders decided to make the donation to the national appeal being co-ordinated by the Australian Red Cross.

"We are shocked at the immense human loss and level of devastation inflicted by these bushfires," Ms Burrow said. "The thoughts of the entire union movement goes out to the victims at this time.

"These include union members and their families who have lost their lives, and those whose livelihoods have been devastated."

6 7564 Unions stand ready to support members, including emergency service personnel involved in fighting the fires, the healthcare and government workers caring for the many thousands of people affected, the media workers who are covering the events as they are unfolding, and countless others caught up in this horror.

"We are asking our members to donate to the Red Cross Appeal by calling 1800 811 700 to make a credit card donation or log onto www.redcross.org.au," Ms Burrow said.

"We are encouraging union members to take up a collection in their workplace and for employers to match whatever is raised.

"Union members who know of a colleague or relative experiencing hardship because of the bushfires should contact Unions Australia on 1300 4 UNION, or email appeal@actu.asn.au, so that support can be arranged."

A special page has been set up on the ACTU website at www.actu.asn.au/bushfireappeal to provide up to date information about unions' support for bushfire victims.

The Maritime Union of Australia has set up a special fund to help the communities devastated by the Victorian bushfires. National secretary Paddy Crumlin is calling on ships' crew and workplaces, members and families to donate.

"As you are all aware a number of Victoria communities have been subjected to catastrophic property damage and loss of human life along with injuries from the worst bushfires the country has ever seen," Paddy Crumlin said in a circular to branches. "Whole communities have been destroyed."

"We've had calls all weekend and all morning," said Victoria branch secretary and national president Kevin Bracken. "People are offering money, people are offering to go out and help in anyway they can. Our people have been hit too. We have to pull together and help each other in times like these."

The tragedy has seen the greatest loss of life and property in Australia since the world war with whole towns wiped off the map. And the toll is still rising.

Mr Crumlin said the union and its membership have long supported peoples and communities in distress in Australia and internationally, and this was no exception.

The union has established the MUA Victorian Bushfire Victims Fund and are asking members to urgently assist.

The details of where funds should be directed are as follows:
The Maritime Mining & Power Credit Union:
BSB No. 802884, Account No. 4626 S2 (reference: Victoria Bushfire Fund)

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