Unions express sympathy, collect donations
and call for tolerance

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States, unions have been at the forefront of the movement to raise funds for the families of victims. Unions have also played an important role in urging calm and discouraging a backlash against ethnic minorities.

So far, millions of dollars have been raised by unions in Canada and the United States and donated to relief agencies like the Red Cross and the United Way. Individual union members have also been active: giving blood, sending messages of consolation and making personal financial contributions.

In statements released on September 11 and afterward, unions around the world unanimously condemned the actions of the terrorists and expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families.

But they also cautioned governments to weigh their options for retaliation very carefully

Canadian Labour Congress president Ken Georgetti warned that poorly though out military strikes might lead to the death of more innocent civilians in places like Afghanistan. It also might result in more terrorist attacks against the United States, he added.

At the same time, Georgetti and other labour leaders called on their members, elected leaders and the public to discourage a backlash against Muslim Canadians and members of other visible minority groups.

"Branding a religious or racial group or an entire nation as terrorist because of the actions of a particular group is not going to fix the problems our world faces," said Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove.

Here in Alberta, Alberta Federation of Labour president Les Steel sent a letter to all affiliated unions and locals asking them to make a financial contribution to the relief efforts. He also talked about the importance of moving past feelings of anger and wishes for revenge.

"In many ways, the tragedy that occurred on September 11 underlines the importance of the work we in the labour movement have been doing for years to promote social justice," wrote Steel.

"On the international level it is social justice – not bombs or military attacks – that is needed to eradicate the root causes of terrorism. And here at home, it is social justice – not knee-jerk attacks on immigrants and immigration – that is needed to protect our democratic ideals and institutions."

Given the importance of these issues and the strong emotions that many people are still feeling in the wake of the attacks, Steel encouraged unions to raise the issue of tolerance with their members.

"Encourage them to talk about their reaction to the events in New York and Washington – and remind them of the labour movements’ beliefs on racism and discrimination," he wrote.