August 1, 2009 - When it comes to supporting the community and union members in trouble, the IAM is always there. Following a devastating fire at the Patrick Cudahy meatpacking plant in Milwaukee, WI, Local 66 helped in opening an emergency food pantry for workers and displaced residents.
Authorities say someone shot a military-style flare onto the roof of the plant July 5. The fire burned for more than two days and put some 1,800 employees temporarily out of work while forcing residents within a one-mile radius of the plant to evacuate. Nearly 700 workers have since returned to work. Another 1,100 workers are still out.
The food pantry was organized by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1473 with support from IAM members, the Milwaukee County Labor Council, United Way, and two local nonprofits, Hunger Task and Voces de la Frontera.
