AFL-CIO Community Services Director Will Fischer reports on the flood relief efforts unions are mounting in Montana.
Montana has been hit hard by a series of recent severe storms coupled with runoff from mountain snow melt. The combination has caused serious flooding across the state. Forty-eight of the state’s 56 counties have declared flood emergencies and federal disaster declarations have been issued for 31 counties, plus four American Indian reservations.
The central Montana town of Roundup has been completely submerged in floodwaters. In northeast Montana, there is massive flooding in the town of Glasgow. The Crow Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana has been devastated by floodwaters displacing hundreds from their homes, and forcing more than 50 families to live in a gymnasium.
The Montana State AFL-CIO is working with coalition partners Montana Organizing Project, Forward Montana, along with central labor councils and union members throughout the state to coordinate a response effort to bring supplies to those in need and protect homes and other public buildings from water damage.
The Missoula Area Central Labor Council is collecting donations at the union hall from members in the western region of the state. In Great Falls, the Labor Temple in Great Falls is a drop off point for donations as well.
Electrical Workers (IBEW) Region 5 lead organizer Bob Brock is spearheading a volunteer operation in Butte to pick up supplies from donors and delivering them to the Carpenters (UBC) union hall for distribution. Also, Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 400 is offering the use of its and the Teamsters (IBT) are lending their vans to transport relief directly to the hardest hit communities.
AFSCME members in central Montana have been building earthen berms to help control the floodwaters that are threatening residential areas of Livingston. Union members in Missoula, Helena and Billings have come out in force to help with sandbagging efforts. Fire Fighters (IAFF) union has volunteered countless hours to help neighbors and friends protect their homes. Says Montana State AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Al Ekblad:
So much of what we aim to do when improving workplace standards is anchored in fostering stronger, healthier communities. It’s not surprising that our long tradition of raising standards would be employed by union members as volunteers in their community, long after the workday is over. In a community crisis, we’re just people helping people.
If you wish to donate to the Montana flood relief efforts you may send a check payable to “Montana State AFL-CIO Flood Victims Fund” to Montana State AFL-CIO, 810 Hialeah Court, Helena, MT 59601 or click here to donate online to the Montana State AFL-CIO – Union Community Fund.
