Fire Fighters are performing search-and-rescue operations in the ravaged islands of the Bahamas. Electricians are racing bucket trucks to South Atlantic U.S. communities. Communications Workers are reconnecting people to their loved ones. Local, state and federal government workers have been plotting Hurricane Dorian and preparing relief operations.
Union members whose internationals are affiliated with the MTD are among the thousands upon thousands who helping victims of the worst tropical storm this year. After ransacking the northern islands in the Bahamas with category 5 strength winds and torrential rains, the storm headed to the southeastern United States’ Atlantic coast before finally moving out to sea.
Not only are union members assisting their own, they once again are playing a vital role in the recovery of whole communities and regions within the two nations.
Just hours after the storm cleared the Bahamas, the Greater South Florida Maritime Trades Council filled a box truck with badly needed supplies that were loaded onto a ship sailing out of Port Everglades to the Bahamas.
“We got lucky that the storm didn’t hit us,” noted PMC Vice President Kris Hopkins. “So we gathered our supplies and immediately sent them to those in need.”
Among those items are bottled water and Gatorade, canned food, diapers, household necessities, toiletries and other goods. In addition, the Port Council received seven pallets of supplies from the Dania Beach (FL) Lions Club for the shipment to the Bahamas. (The PMC and Lions Club have worked on several community projects over the years.)
“We understand how important it is to get immediate help our neighbors in the Bahamas,” added PMC President Paul Doell. “This is not a one-time effort. We will continue to assist them.”
The Port Council is collecting supplies at the Seafarers Union hall located at 1221 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.