[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”intro-text” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]
A lot of people are having a terrible week this week. People are losing their homes, their livelihoods and their possessions in the wildfires that are surrounding and engulfing Fort McMurray and the neighbouring communities. And the fire is not easing up – in fact, it appears to be getting stronger, so we can be sure that more will be lost. As of the time of this writing, there has been no loss of life due to the fire, and we can all pray that remains the case.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”intro-text” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” undefined=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]Devastating as events like this are, and as traumatizing as they can be to the people who are forced to deal with the viciousness of Mother Nature, events like this also have a galvanizing effect on the people of our province. Within minutes of notification of the wildfire approaching civilization, people were preparing and mobilizing; getting ready to help those in need. Just like when Slave Lake burned in 2011, and when southern Alberta flooded in 2013, Albertans banded together to help.
Regardless anyone’s political beliefs, ethnicity, sexuality, or favourite tv show, Albertans support Albertans.
What are you doing to help out? Are you opening your home to people left homeless? Are you buying supplies to donate to the relief centres set up all over the province? Are you planning to participate in the rebuilding of the city and neighbouring communities? Are you donating money to the Red Cross or some other group that is working to support people affected by this disaster?
The BTA and our 75,000 members are getting involved. Some of our Locals have even gotten support from the national offices of their union, along with all their sister Locals across the country. We are helping out in every way mentioned above, at the individual level, the Local level, the provincial level and country-wide.
Union members support each other and they support and protect the communities in which they live. Fort McMurray is a Union Town. Unions helped build the town and the Unions are stepping up to ensure that the pain, devastation and fear felt by people from Fort McMurray and their families is minimized. Unions will help build the town of Fort McMurray again.
Contact us at info@bta.ca and tell us how you are supporting your fellow Albertans. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and follow your Local on social media, to see how you can get involved, help out and show the power of working together.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
