Statement from UFCW International President Joseph T. Hansen Announcing Union-wide Relief Fund for Hurricane Sandy Victims

Washington, D.C. - November 2, 2012 - The following is a statement issued by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union President Joseph Hansen:

“Inspired by President Barack Obama’s declaration that we will get through this together, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union has established a Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund to provide vital financial support for the nearly 200,000 UFCW members living in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and surrounding areas.

“Hurricane Sandy’s impact on our members was catastrophic. Homes were destroyed or severely damaged by flood waters. Many have not had power to their homes or businesses since Monday and it may be many more days before electricity is restored. The UFCW is deeply concerned for the physical safety and well-being of our members in New York and New Jersey.

“Apart from the physical stress of keeping their homes and families safe, workers in the region’s grocery stores, retail stores, food processing facilities and other private industry are suffering from the loss of income from missed hourly wages as their stores and worksites are unable to open for business. I am calling on UFCW local unions across the U.S. and Canada to open their hearts and checkbooks and donate to the UFCW Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund.”

Contributions can be mailed to:

UFCW Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund
c/o UFCW International Union
1775 K Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006

For further updates, please visit www.ufcw.org