As this issue of the LOG went to press, our nation was holding its collective breath while Hurricane Rita veered into the Gulf. On the heels of Hurricane Katrina, forecasters took a cautious approach, saying the newer storm eventually might hit areas already battered by Katrina—but then again, it might not.Regardless, I think all Americans shared the same thought when news of Rita surfaced: Our brothers and sisters in the Gulf already are hurting. No more hurricanes!
And yet, our nation will battle through Rita if needed, just as we are responding with sacrifice and dedication as America starts recovering from the massive Katrina.
Because of the loss of life and enormous damage in sections of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, that hurricane brought all of us together as fellow Americans—just as we were four years ago when America was attacked. Yes, there is ongoing controversy about some of the initial relief efforts—but no one can ignore the outpouring of kindness and generosity from all across the United States and from many of our international allies, including the International Transport Workers’ Federation and the SIU of Canada.
Americans have responded with normal relief efforts but also with unconventional, over-and-above tactics. Cities throughout the nation offered transportation, shelter and fresh starts for those who lost everything. Rank-and-file workers, many of them our fellow trade unionists, sacrificed vacation time and income to join in the Gulf-area recovery and rebuilding.
I’m proud to say that the SIU has been a positive contributor to those ongoing efforts, every step of the way.
Our members aboard Ready Reserve Force ships stationed in New Orleans were among the first to offer shelter and other aid, even before government relief workers could travel to the affected areas. Seafarers also crewed up other RRF ships along with training vessels and the hospital ship USNS Comfort that have been deployed to aid in the recovery.
Many of our port officials and manpower office staff came to work throughout a holiday weekend to help ensure timely crewing of the vessels that were activated and mobilized. It may seem like a small sacrifice when looking at the big picture, but it didn’t go unnoticed—and it helped make a difference in the lives of Katrina’s victims.
Additionally, a number of employees at SIU headquarters and at our affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education took the initiative and donated relief items.
We invited the AFL-CIO to use our union hall in Mobile as a "Workers’ Center," part of the federation’s relief efforts.
The union itself quickly established a relief fund specifically intended for Seafarers, SIU retirees and employees and their families, as well as for our affiliated unions, the United Industrial Workers and the Seafarers Entertainment and Allied Trades Union. I encourage each member to donate to the relief efforts, whether it goes to the Seafarers Disaster Relief Fund, the American Red Cross, the Union Community Fund, the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund or another charitable outlet of your choice. No donation is too small.
I extend my sympathy and prayers to the hurricane victims and their families.
I offer my heartfelt admiration to all those who have helped in the relief efforts.
Most of all, I salute the Seafarers who once again have come through with flying colors in the face of a national crisis. Anyone who knows our history knows that the SIU always has been a reliable part of America’s fourth arm of defense. We earned our solid reputation beginning in World War II and have built upon it ever since, right through to the present in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. And now, in relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina.
We were chartered in 1938, and our world, of course, has seen many changes since then. But at least one thing has remained the same: Then and now, America can count on the SIU.
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