BCGEU extends support to communities affected by wildfires and thanks Emergency Response Units

I would like to extend our support and solidarity to the communities affected by wildfires burning through much of British Columbia this week

With over 200 wildfires starting over the weekend, hundreds of B.C. families spent their weekend wondering whether their homes would be standing by Monday.

As one of B.C.'s largest unions, we know that hundreds of our members are being directly or indirectly affected by these fires, including the B.C. Wildfire Service crews that are responding to these fires.

We would like all of our members and their families to know that your union is there for you. Over the coming days we will look at the best ways to support you and your communities.

I would also like to recognize and to thank B.C. Wildfire Service crews and all other emergency response units who are keeping our communities safe.

As thousands of people are evacuated from communities affected by the fires, wildfire crews, police officers, paramedics, and other emergency response units are walking straight into evacuation zones to prevent loss of life and property.

Their work puts them into direct harm and exposes them to long term health problems, but that does not stop them from coming to work day after day.

Throughout these hard times and beyond, we will be fighting to ensure the wildfire crews defending our homes receive the best representation a union can give.

As we learn more about the wildfire situation across B.C., we will be there for British Columbians and provide any support we are able to give.

If you would like to contribute to the efforts to support these communities, you can make a donation to the Red Cross by clicking here or by making a donation at the register at any B.C. Liquor Store.