The non-union mine in West Virginia where at least 25 workers died in a horrific explosion Monday, has been cited for what the Washington Post calls a “litany of safety violations.”

Massey Energy Co., the owner of the West Virginia mine, is actively contesting millions of dollars of fines for safety violations, according to Think Progress. It has been cited for over 3,000 violations by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), 638 since 2009.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, a former Mine Workers (UMWA) president and third generation coal miner, says, “The thoughts and prayers of America’s workers are with the families” of those killed and for the safety of the “courageous” rescue teams. He adds:

However, this incident isn’t just a matter of happenstance, but rather the inevitable result of a profit-driven system and reckless corporate conduct. Many mining companies have given too little attention to safety over the years and too much to the bottom line.

As earthquake relief efforts continue in Haiti, Union Plus will automatically double individual contributions to the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center, 100% of which will be used to help the Haitian people. That means when you contribute at UnionPlus.org/Haiti your $10 contribution becomes $20, your $25 becomes $50 and your $100 becomes $200.

Union Plus has committed $100,000 through this dollar-for-dollar donation match to help Haitian earthquake relief efforts. The benefits program provides more than 50 money-saving benefits and services to union members and their families.

“Despite the millions of dollars raised already, the people of Haiti continue to have an ongoing need for our help. That’s why we are committing $100,000 to double the donations made by union members to the Solidarity Center,” Union Plus President Leslie Tolf said.

The Solidarity Center is providing immediate life-saving relief supplies including food, clean water, medical supplies, blankets and tents to the Haitian people. Goods are currently being delivered to the Confederation of Haitian Workers training center, which is providing shelter, food, and medical assistance to more than 200 people.

Donations can be made at UnionPlus.org/Haiti or by sending a check to: Solidarity Center Education Fund, Attn: Joan Welsh, 888 16th Street, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC, 20006. Please designate “Earthquake Relief for Haitian Workers” in the memo line of the check.

This entry by AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee is cross-posted from Huffington Post and Firedoglake.

As news traveled around the world that a major earthquake had struck Haiti, so many of us bowed our heads in sorrow. There is no appropriate way to measure its impact on that already-impoverished country. We can only watch in horror as emergency teams pull bodies from destroyed buildings and hope against hope that the rescued victims are alive. Our union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), has many members with family, friends and neighbors in Haiti who have lost everything. The loss of life and extent of damage is almost incomprehensible.

At this moment of urgent need, the Haitian government – and the people of Haiti – have asked for help from the world community. Those of us who can must heed this call in whatever way possible. AFSCME is donating an initial $25,000 in relief funds to the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center’s Earthquake Relief for Haitian Workers fund. In addition, we encourage people to go to the Solidarity Center’s website: solidaritycenter.org to make a donation.

Next Monday, January 18, our nation celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. AFSCME has a particular tie to Dr. King and his causes. For it was in Memphis, where he joined 1,300 AFSCME Local 1733 sanitation workers in their struggle for equality, that he was assassinated in 1968. This tragic bond has always strengthened our resolve to carry on his work.

Dr. King said, “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

In that spirit, the AFSCME family is asking all of America to rally to the aid of those suffering in Haiti. Now is the time for Americans to help those desperately needing our help. Now is the time to take action and lend a helping hand to the people of Haiti.

MLK Day is a reminder of what this great man stood for, and of our on-going responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves. That is why this day has become a day of service. I can think of no greater service than helping the survivors of the earthquake that hit Haiti this past Monday.

As the scope of the disaster in Haiti becomes clear, with reports now that hundreds of thousands may have died, the AFL-CIO has assembled a list of ways we can help:

You can help workers in distress by donating to the Solidarity Center’s Earthquake Relief for Haitian Workers’ Campaign. Click here to make a donation and learn more about how the center is working to help Haitian workers.

The TransAfrica Forum, a longtime ally of the union movement, suggests donations to two organizations already providing aid on the ground in Haiti: Partners in Health and Doctors Without Borders

The 150,000-member National Nurses United issued an urgent call last night through its nationwide disaster relief network to recruit nurse volunteers to assist Haiti. Twitter updates use the hashtag #HaitiRN

Search and rescue teams from Fairfax County, Va., and Los Angeles County, Calif., made up of members of Fire Fighters (IAFF) locals 2068 and 1014, are preparing to head to Haiti to aid in the rescue efforts. Other teams are likely to follow.

Hector Alikhan, Local 3325, and Diana MacQuarrie, Local 2719, were two of the 2008 Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship winners.

The deadline to apply for the Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship is fast approaching. Applications for the program, which aims to help more women and people of color become union leaders, must be received by May 30.

The scholarship provides annual awards of up to $3,000 to help future union leaders with the cost of continuing their education in order to pursue their union career goals and leadership skills.

Scholarships can be used for tuition, books and travel for leadership training at accredited labor schools, colleges, universities and community colleges. Many students have used the program to attend the National Labor College.

In addition, scholarship winners will be matched with current union leaders to participate in a special mentoring program.

By affording opportunities for women and people of color to continue their education, the scholarship program is helping build a skilled, diverse leadership for the union movement to continue to reach out and provide benefits to more workers.

So far, the Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship Program has awarded $74,000 to 28 winners. Last year’s winners included AFSCME members Hector Alikhan from Local 3325 and Diana MacQuarrie from Local 2719.

All applications must be postmarked by May 30, 2009. Scholarship winners will be contacted by July 7, 2009.

AFSCME members are meeting the emergency in the Midwest head on – helping with relief and repair efforts. They are also providing aid to our own members who were affected by the floodwaters and the storms, losing their homes and their possessions.

The AFSCME Midwest Relief and Recovery Team – a group commissioned by the International Union in Washington, D.C. – has been working closely with our affiliates in the region to assist our brothers and sisters. Photos and more details below. You can help by making an online donation to AFSCME’s relief fund. 

The team – headed by Gloria T. Caoile (right) – talks to tornado and flood victims in Cedar Falls, Iowa, providing immediate cash assistance to about 18 members (mostly University of North Iowa (UNI) workers) who suffered losses and damages to their homes. Council 61 President Danny Homan joined their efforts and personally assured our members of the International Union’s support.

An F-5 tornado ripped through Parkersburg at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 25. Of the 900 residents, 350 lost their homes.

Terry Drewelow (left), a UNI custodian and member of Local 2659, stands in front of the ruins of his 1902 Victorian home. Terry and his wife Darla survived the tornado by crouching under a table in the basement.

“The tornado was four miles away when we got a call to evacuate,” Terry recalls. “But within two minutes, we heard the sound of a freight train so we rushed to the basement. We figured our life was over.” Three other members suffered total losses. Eight people died that Sunday evening when the tornado hit Parkersburg. Local President Rod Baker (right), who lives in another part of town, suffered only minor damages to his house.

“This is where my house used to be,” Terry says, who is determined to pick up the pieces and rebuild. Several of his co-workers came down to assist the victims immediately after the tornado.

Before heading back to Des Moines, the Relief Team assured Rod Baker that Council 61 and the International Union will be there for our members and assist in their recovery.

Now it’s time for the rest of us to help our brothers and sisters. Your generosity will make a real difference. Make a secure online contribution now or send a check to:

AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund
1625 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-5687

(Photos by Jon Melegrito, a member of the AFSCME Midwest Relief and Recovery Team)

As floodwaters ravage the Midwest, AFSCME members are working nonstop to provide relief to the tens of thousands of people who have been evacuated or forced from their homes. From staffing homeless shelters to providing medical care, they are on the frontlines meeting this emergency head on.

But just as our AFSCME brothers and sisters do everything humanly possible to aid the residents of these communities, we must bear in mind that they also need our assistance. Many have lost their homes and every possession as a result of these catastrophes.

This is why our union has donated $100,000 to the AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund today, money that will go directly to provide relief and immediate assistance to our members in the Midwest. You can also help the victims of the floods by making a secure contribution online or by writing a check to the AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund. Click here for more information.