Slave Lake, AB - Canada’s largest union is donating $20,000 in support of Albertans affected by this summer’s devastating wild fires in and around Slave Lake. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) made the donation today to the Canadian Red Cross to help with on-going relief efforts in the northern Alberta community.
“CUPE’s over 600,000 members across the country are standing in solidarity with the people of Slave Lake and all of Alberta as they recover from the destruction caused by these fires,” said Paul Moist, national president of CUPE. “I hope this donation can offer a little comfort as they rebuild their homes and community, and be of some help to those whose lives have been disrupted.”
Several members from CUPE 1038, all bus drivers from the High Prairie School Division in the Slave Lake area, lost their homes in the fires.
“CUPE members in Slave Lake are proud of their community, and they have suffered like so many of their family, friends and neighbours,” said Claude Généreux, national secretary-treasurer of CUPE. “CUPE members from coast-to-coast-to-coast are united with CUPE 1038, and will do what they can to help this community recover.”
CUPE Alberta division President Marle Roberts joined members from CUPE 1038 and other CUPE Alberta locals to make the donation to the Canadian Red Cross today in Slave Lake.
“Rebuilding from these fires could take years, but CUPE members in Alberta will do all they can to help,” said Roberts.
The Canadian Red Cross provided immediate disaster assistance during the fires, operating emergency shelters, and offering evacuee assistance. CUPE’s donation will be used to pay for these and other on-going relief efforts in the area.
“On behalf of the Canadian Red Cross and the thousands of Albertans receiving assistance through our disaster response and recovery efforts, I would like to thank CUPE for this generous donation,” said Jaime Cordoba, Fund Development Manager for the Red Cross.
Canadians wishing to support the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Response efforts are encouraged to contribute by calling 1-800-418-1111, donating through redcross.ca, or contacting their local Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Alberta Fires” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.
For more information, please contact:
Greg Taylor
CUPE Communications
613-818-0067