Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Support the Patrick Cudahy Workers

From the inbox:

Immediate Release

July 6, 2009

UFCW LOCAL 1473 ASKS FOR DONATIONS FOR PATRICK CUDAHY WORKERS

On July 6th 2009, the five alarm fire continues to blaze at the Smithfield owned, Patrick Cudahy plant in Cudahy , Wisconsin . The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1473 (UFCW), represents approximately 1,400 Patrick Cudahy workers at this location.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the workers and their families at the Patrick Cudahy Plant and for the safety of the firefighters. We will work closely with Smithfield management in order to minimize the impact of this fire on our members and their families,” said Local President John Eiden in a statement earlier today.

City officials have evacuated the area surrounding the plant and there is still no word on total damage. As the workers wait for the plant reopening, UFCW Local 1473 has established a hardship fund and is accepting donations to help the Patrick Cudahy workers and their families.

“Local 1473 has a long and proud history of coming to the aid of fellow brothers and sisters in the Labor Community. Today we ask that fellow union brothers and sisters and community members to help our members and their families in the aftermath of this tragic event; in their time of need,” said President Eiden.

If anyone wishes to make a monetary donation to the UFCW – Patrick Cudahy Worker Relief Fund to help the workers and families at the Patrick Cudahy plant make checks payable to Patrick Cudahy Workers Relief Fund care of UFCW Local 1473. The Union is also accepting non-perishable food items.

Please send checks and non-perishable food items to:

Patrick Cudahy Workers Relief Fund

UFCW Local 1473

2001 N. Mayfair Rd.

Milwaukee , WI 53226

6 comments:

  1. Considering that the UFCW is collecting dues and probably has ton's of money in the bank, how are they helping their union brethern? Are the union executives reducing their pay to help? How about help from other unions, like the SEIU?
    So, until the UFCW makes a statement about how much the union is helping from their coffers, along with the national union, they shouldn't be asking for donations.

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  2. BTW, how much is your union donating(AFCME?).
    Nothing but a bunch of union greed and hypocrisy.

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  3. Nice Dan, people could be losing their jobs due to a big fire at their jobsite, and you call them greedy for asking for help.

    And for your information, the request was forwarded to the AFL-CIO, which forwarded it to me.

    How much each organization is donating, if anything, is unknown to me.

    It would be nice if you knew what you were ranting about before you started, but then again, we wouldn't feel so much smarter already.

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  4. I am not calling the workers greedy- I am calling unions greedy, especially those high up in the union food chain.
    Yes, the workers do need help, no doubt about that, though I wonder if any money they receive will count against their unemployment compensation they receive.
    For instance, if they receive $100 from the union, do they get $100 less in unemployment?
    But my main point is still this- unions are very rich off of the workers and they should be contributing a large sum of money. But like many liberal organizations, all they care about is power and greed. They expect other people to help out the workers but the unions will do very little to help.
    But again, it is going to be a rough time for the workers and my best wishes for them.

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  5. What makes you think that the unions aren't also contributing?

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  6. I went on other union web sites and found nothing, except the UFCW, which asked for donations. If a union did contribute, you would think they would be proud of it and put it on their web site or put out a press release.

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