Unifor donates $50,000 to Oxfam-Canada

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Unifor, Canada's newest labour union, has donated $50,000 to Oxfam-Canada Philippines Typhoon Emergency fund providing emergency assistance to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

"This tragedy in the Philippines is heartbreaking," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "It has deeply touched the lives of Canadians, particularly those who have family and friends back in the Philippines."

Unifor estimates that the union represents thousands of members of Philippine origin in Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal, Vancouver and other areas of the country. "Our members are deeply concerned by this terrible storm and its lasting implications," said Dias

The union is also calling on its local unions and members to make a donation to the union's Social Justice Fund - Typhoon Haiyan Fund.  Contributions made by individuals will be doubled by the federal Philippines crisis matching fund. We will work with our partners and the global trade union community to how best to provide solidarity support.

Dias also raised the issue of climate change and Canada's recent disastrous record. "We cannot continue to ignore the role of climate change in so-called 'natural disasters.' It is not enough that as a country we provide aid after the fact, as lives are destroyed and whole communities decimated."

The devastation in the Philippines has affected 9.5 million people, with more than 800,000 displaced, and a death toll that is still undetermined.  As well, the thousands of people who had already been displaced by the recent earthquake and were living in temporary shelters are now once again fighting for survival.

SOURCE: Unifor