Australian maritime union sets up flood relief fund

 http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/5537

13 January 2011

The ITF-affiliated Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has set up an appeal fund to assist those affected by the floods in Australia.

Paddy Crumlin, national secretary of the MUA and ITF president, has authorised the establishment of the relief fund; so far the union’s national office and Queensland branch have each pledged large donations, and workplaces and ships across the nation are collecting from members’ wages. Other members and friends of the union have been encouraged to make personal donations and to carry out workplace collections.

According to the union, the water is making its way south and Brisbane’s families have been bracing themselves for worse to come. The port was closed on the evening of 11 January and vessels directed seaward. The river surge on 12 January saw bigger tides and it is likely that the port will remain closed.

Crumlin commented: “Many of the MUA’s members are set to be affected and are volunteering to assist. With the urban sprawl it is working class families who have settled in the outer and low lying areas and they will cop the worst of it.”

For details of how to make a donation visit: www.mua.org.au/news/australian-flood-relief