Clyde Fitzgerald, president of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District of the International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO, has called for a two-day meeting on September 12 and 13 in Houston, Texas to bring together ILA locals from the Gulf to assess damages to port areas from Hurricane Katrina and to begin relief efforts for ILA members and their families.

"Right now, we're trying to account for every ILA member to offer any immediate help they may need," said Clyde Fitzgerald. "On Sept. 12 and 13, we'll discuss relief efforts for our brothers and sisters who have suffered devastating losses as a result of Hurricane Katrina."

The ILA district leader said the union would assess the damages to Gulf port areas to ascertain how quickly ILA members can expect to return to their jobs. For those ILA longshore workers who may be displaced for an extended periods, the ILA's South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District has asked port areas unaffected by Hurricane Katrina to offer work opportunities to ILA members from Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

"Cargo will be diverted from certain ports damaged by Hurricane Katrina," Mr. Fitzgerald said. "Let's try to make room for our brothers and sisters who have lost their jobs. Cargo will be diverted from those ports to other ports in our District-which means we should see more activity in neighboring ports."

The offices of the International in New York is coordinating a nationwide fund-raising effort to raise money to aid ILA members in the Gulf who suffered loss of life, personal injuries, loss of homes and loss of income. John Bowers, International President, has appealed to union members for support to supplement major donations from the International ILA, Atlantic Coast District and South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District. Contributions should be made payable to the ILA and designated for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Checks can be mailed to the ILA, 17 Battery Place, Suite 930, New York, NY 10004.