While many GCIU local unions have contributed money to help families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, members of West Caldwell 612M found a way to immediately help survivors.

Situated just across the Hudson River from the World Trade Center complex, the area became an evacuation center for many lower Manhattan workers who were ferried across the river to safety.

Four hours after the first aircraft was crashed into the World Trade Towers, a contingent of Local 612M members joined other unionists at a staging area to coordinate and distribute food, clothing, blankets, cots, tents, and other equipment for the victims and the rescue workers.

They worked at Liberty State Park in Jersey City to feed and clothe evacuated workers and prepare supplies for shipment to the fire, police, and other rescue workers across the river.

According to Local 612M Pres. and General Board member Edward A. Treacy, a half dozen volunteers, including two retirees, worked 12-hour shifts for up to six days after the attacks.

Treacy praised the local's affiliation with the local United Labor Agency's Community Services Network that coordinated the instantaneous response when disaster struck.

Treacy told International General Board members at the October meeting of the effective quick response and recommended that other GCIU locals investigate affiliation with other local union agencies to prepare for future needs or natural disasters.

The General Board Community Services Committee reported that "Local 612M was able to respond as quickly as it did during the emergency because they had begun participating in a community services network seven years ago. They discovered through the labor network grief counseling services, financial counseling services, help with drug addition and alcoholism, aid during family crises (fire, flood, etc.), as well as providing food and other assistance during labor strikes or at any other time when distressed members require help."

Had Local 612M "waited until Sept. 11 when that tragedy struck," the committee report added, "they would not have been able to react as quickly or as effectively. Local 612M is proud of its contribution, and it highly recommends that other GCIU locals immediately begin to prepare against the day when some of their members may be confronted with a natural disaster or some other dire need."

Along those lines, Community Services Committee members drafted a letter to local secretary-treasurers throughout the United States and Canada that included a questionnaire to use for collecting information about volunteers and how they may be willing to join with counterparts in the AFL-CIO and Canadian Labour Congress to help in times when there is a need.