Unions offer counselling sessions in NYC

Subject: Unions offer counselling sessions in NYC
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 05:13 PM

Just received this from the National Writer's Union, which comes under the auspicices of the UAW. I thought some in NYC might be interested, esp. considering all of the EM personnel involved. The donation info for THOSE unions is legitimate and included at the end of this message....kat

"We have now been able to reopen our office. We are doing our best to work but it is not easy as we share with each other and our entire community the pain of the last few days; two of our staffers just didn't feel emotionally ready to come back to work. But we are here for you.

"Today, a group of us from various UAW locals sat with several trained crisis counselors who debriefed us about the events of the past few days. It was extremely helpful. We talked about fears, anger, sadness, disbelief and even some hope (at the bottom of this message, you will see some information about how you can take part in similar sessions).

"We all mourn for those people who lost their lives: the sisters, brothers, parents, spouses and friends who died in a staggering act of violence that is still hard for many of us to comprehend. We think of the many people who were members of other unions who perished, many of whom--firefighters, police officers and other rescue personnel--were trying to save the lives of others (see below to help with donations to their families).

"We shed tears every time we read or see another story of someone searching for a missing person, whose picture from some family picnic or graduation or wedding is now on a flyer carrying a sliver of hope. And we also are heartened by the incredible acts of generosity, kindness and unity we see on the streets in the past few days.

"We should also think about the future. I was struck by one quote I saw: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" by Mahatma Ghandi. No one doubts that justice must be pursued. But, justice is not the same as revenge. As union members dedicated to justice, we must not let our anger and sadness turn into demands for revenge, nor a temptation to weaken the civil liberties we cherish, particularly as writers. I lived for many years in an area of the world where cries for revenge only resulted in more bloodshed, divisiveness and pain that has lasted for generations. This should not be the legacy of our collective sorrow.

"Rather, we might want to think of how we can continue to build the institutions, programs and belief systems that instill an appreciation of unity and justice. That is, the ideal of a union."

In Solidarity,

Jonathan Tasini
President

--------------------------------------------

We have set up these sessions for New York; this has been done under trying circumstances so please understand the notification timing and schedule. If there are members outside the New York area who would like us to attempt to set up similar sessions in other cities, we will try to do so with the UAW's assistance. We are also posting a trauma syndrome symptoms on our website (http://ga0.org/ct/L1q0L141uqDi/) to offer some basic support.

UAW CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING (CISD) SCHEDULE All sessions will be at the UAW Sub-Regional Offices, 113 University Place (corner 13th Street)
one block south of Union Square
Manhattan
[phone]

Please call and let us know when you would like to come, as space is limited in each group

Saturday, September 15, 2001
10:00 am.
11:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 16, 2001
11:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.

Monday, September 17, 2001
2:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.

Please call on Monday for the schedule for any sessions to be conducted on Tuesday and beyond. (with thanks to New York Jobs with Justice)

Many of the World Trade Center victims were union members. Among the many other relief activities now in progress are those the unions have established to help the families of both victims and survivors. Please send donations to:

NYC Central Labor Council Disaster Relief Fund
NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
386 Park Avenue South, #601
NYC, NY 10016

If you prefer to wire money, please send to:

Amalgamated Bank
11-15 Union Square
NYC, NY 10003

ABA Routing #: 02 600 3379
For Account #: 01 156 685
NYC Central Labor Council Disaster Relief Fund
(give same address as above)