Families in the Bahamas need time to repair and recover from Hurricane Dorian.

On Sunday, September 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian was a Category 5 hurricane that devastated the northwestern Bahamas and caused significant damage to the Southeastern United States and Atlantic Canada, and the strongest in the basin by wind speed since Hurricane Wilma in 2005. It was the fifth tropical cyclone, fourth named storm, second hurricane, and the first major hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. The hurricane caused catastrophic damage to Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands, with at least 70,000 people left homeless. Many of our members and staff of 1199 have families living in the Bahamas who are directly impacted by this hurricane. As we have done in the past, our union will do our best to help during this difficult time. The 1199 Disaster Relief Fund is prepared to accept your Vacation Donations (up to 3 days). Please see the attached form, complete the form and return to Francine Trigo in Staff Support. As always, thank you for your support.

HOW IT WORKS: By completing the attached Vacation Day Donation Form, you can donate up to three vacation days to disaster relief. Under recently approved regulations, the IRS has approved this type of donation, which 1199 will then contribute to a charitable organization. Send your completed form to Staff Support, Attention: Francine Trigo. The days you contribute will be deducted from your vacation bank and 1199 will donate the value to our Disaster Relief Fund. Maria Castaneda is leading a Committee to manage the distribution of our funds to charitable organizations.

The union will be making an urgent donation to 3 humanitarian organizations that our staff have recommended.

These groups are doing relief work on the ground in the Bahamas. We also plan to engage our rank and file members in this fund raising efforts. Your ideas are welcome.

Did You Know?

THESE ARE UNNATURAL DISASTERS

Darieliz Michelle Lopez, her 20-month-old son and three-year-old daughter sit on a sofa where her apartment stood in San Isidro, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 28. Photo Credit: Andres Kudacki for TIME

The increase in superstorms and other natural disasters is unlike anything in history and is the product of both climate change and the Trump administration’s climate denial and callous policies.

• Rising sea levels have contributed to the enormous impact of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. 
• Warmer oceans lead to more rain and stronger storms. A hotter ocean makes rapid intensification more likely.
• The Trump administration’s deregulating of toxic pollution leaves vulnerable communities under siege near huge refineries.
• Recently, President Trump signed an order rescinding Obama’s requirement for building regulations to take into account sea-level rise, as well as pushing to reduce flood insurance support.

1199 Disaster Relief Efforts

- 1199SEIU Sends Solar Powered Lamps To Puerto Rico

- Standing Together, Caring For Each Other

- 1199SEIU, GNYHA, and the Afya Foundation Work Together To Collect and Distribute Supplies In Hurricane Ravaged Puerto Rico

- 1199 Members Assemble Medical Supplies for Hurricane Maria Ravaged Puerto Rico