Steelworkers contribute to Katrina relief

The United Steelworkers (USW) has made an initial contribution of $100,000 for relief to the Hurricane Katrina victims.

Thousands of Steelworker members live and work in the Gulf area most affected by the hurricane, and many are in immediate need of temporary shelter, food, and medical supplies, the union said, as well as longer-term help in repairing damage to their homes and replacing furniture that was destroyed.

The union contributed $50,000 directly from the international, which was matched with an additional $50,000 from the Steelworkers Humanity Fund in Canada.

In a communication to all USW local union presidents and recording secretaries, the international has urged members and the union's locals to add their contributions to the USW's initial $100,000 seed money for the relief effort.

The union said that most of the companies its members work for—oil refineries, steel mills, paper mills and a large variety of manufacturing facilities—were able to shut down before Katrina hit, but now water and wind damage and lack of electric power are preventing them from restarting.

Local unions that are geographically close to the disaster area are being encouraged to offer shelter, or to work with communities to make available much needed equipment and building supplies.