NYC Labor Movement Takes Action In Solidarity with Hurricane Disaster Victims

Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria have had devastating effects on communities of working people, displacing families and bringing operations to a halt in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The labor movement has responded in full force, raising money and coordinating skilled volunteers to help with recovery efforts.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, in coordination with New York’s Teamsters Joint Council 16 and the AFL-CIO, are working to provide qualified volunteer truck drivers who hold a Commercial Driver’s License to Puerto Rico to transport shipping containers from the port to distribution centers throughout the island. They are also accepting donations to the Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund. Learn more here.

The New York State Nurses Association is organizing qualified healthcare volunteers to help with disaster relief efforts. Learn more here.

RWDSU members have been collecting supplies to send to Puerto Rico. So far, Local 338 and Local 670 have donated a myriad of non-perishable items.

The AFL-CIO is accepting donations to the Union Community Fund to help working families in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Many unions and locals have also set up disaster relief funds for hurricane victims. Donate to the funds of 1199SEIU, UFT, UAW Region 9A, SAG-AFTRA, and IATSE.

Additionally, both the Texas AFL-CIO and Florida AFL-CIO have set up Worker Relief Funds and are accepting donations that will be used to help support working people affected by the tragic storms. Donate to the Texas AFL-CIO’s fund here, and to the Florida AFL-CIO’s fund here.

We would love to hear how other unions around NYC are helping with disaster relief work in areas like Texas, Florida, PR, the Carribbean, and other hard hit regions, too. Please send information and photos to info@nycclc.org, and we'll be sure to post it on our website