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HSAA gives nearly $250,000 to Alberta flood victims

Money helping families and communities recover from Spring tragedy.

Edmonton (25 Sept. 2013) - Nearly $250,000 has been given to victims of flooding in Alberta by the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE), the union of health-care professionals has announced.

Unions help communities

“At a time when unions are under attack from right-wing think tanks and government across the country, it’s good to see our union being such a force for good,” says Elisabeth Ballermann, HSAA President, which represents more than 24,000 paramedical technical, professional and general support employees in health care.

A total of $228,945.50 was paid to 122 HSAA/NUPGE members who suffered losses during the massive flooding in June. The union also made a $20,000 donation to the Red Cross for flood relief.

“Our approval process was speeded up so we could get the money out within days of getting an application. We recognized how important it was to get help out immediately. This money not only helped our members, it helped the communities in which they live. It fuelled local businesses working on cleaning up and repairing the massive damage,” says Ballermann.

Members, businesses and communities grateful for the assistance

One member wrote to the President and said, “We are so grateful for the care and support we have received during this challenging time. With these funds we were able to remove and replace the sod in our yard, providing our girls with a clean, safe and welcoming outdoor space to play upon our return home.”

Flood-relief payments were made in the following communities:

  •     Calgary: 55
  •     High River: 43
  •     Okotoks: 3
  •     Redwood Meadows: 1
  •     Lethbridge: 1
  •     Fort MacLeod: 1
  •     Medicine Hat: 3
  •     Canmore: 3
  •     Bragg Creek: 1
  •     Exshaw: 1
  •     Canmore: 3
  •     Barons: 1
  •     Black Diamond: 3
  •     Airdrie: 1
  •     Coaldale: 1
  •     Drumheller: 1

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE