Friday, January 7, 2005
For Immediate Release
Toronto – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Canada is donating $25,000 to Oxfam Canada for relief efforts in the tsunami-shattered regions of Asia.
“This is the worst natural disaster in recent history and we’re all shocked by the scale of devastation to these regions,” said IAMAW Canadian General Vice-President Dave Ritchie. “We want to do our part to lessen the suffering for the people of these regions as quickly as possible. The fact the Canadian government will match this contribution dollar for dollar effectively doubles our donation to $50,000, providing Oxfam with greater resources to achieve that goal.”
“We also recognize that many of our members have their roots in these areas and that this disaster has affected them personally,” added Ritchie. “While the Machinists Union believes we need to help the current situation, long-term solutions are needed to lessen the scale of any future disasters.”
“Oxfam Canada has a long history of providing disaster relief around the world and its principles on the elimination of poverty through fair trade mirror those of the IAMAW,” explained Ritchie.
In addition, the IAMAW in the United States is donating $25,000 to the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center for its tsunami relief efforts. Through the Solidarity Center, the AFL-CIO is committed to providing workers and their families with long-term support for housing, reconstruction and other aid. As the rebuilding begins we will be ready to assist our brothers and sisters in Asia who are fighting for their lives and burying their dead.
The IAMAW Canadian office is urging its Local Lodges and their members to make donations as soon as possible to relief efforts.
