For over a week, Manitobans and the rest of the world have been horrified to see peace shattered in Europe by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In response to the hardship endured by the people of Ukraine, the MGEU is donating $15,000 through the union’s Humanitarian Fund to the Canadian Red Cross, and is encouraging MGEU members, if they are able, to also make a personal donation at redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-418-1111.
"There are so many connections in our province to Ukraine, and even for those who may not have friends or family in that part of the world, we’ve all been thinking about what is happening right now and all of the people who want peace, but instead, are faced with so much uncertainty, pain, and suffering,” said MGEU President, Kyle Ross. “As a trade union, we stand for democracy, we stand for peace, and with this donation we want to provide some much-needed support to those caught in the middle of a truly horrifying situation.”
About the MGEU’s Humanitarian Fund
This donation of humanitarian aid was made possible through the MGEU’s Humanitarian Fund, which was established to support domestic and international anti-poverty and disaster-relief projects.
In recent years, the
Humanitarian Fund has also supported families displaced by the wildfires in
Fort McMurray and typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines.
UPDATE (03-11-2022):
On March 11, the MGEU Board of Directors approved a $10,000 increase
to the union’s contribution from the Humanitarian Fund to Red Cross relief
efforts in Ukraine (bringing the MGEU's total support to the effort to $25,000).
Our National Union (NUPGE) also approved two
$25,000 donations from the John Fryer Solidarity Fund to support humanitarian
relief for the people of Ukraine. The first donation is being sent to the Canadian
Red Cross. The second is going to a fund established by ITUC-EPSU and supported by Public Services International.