Australian Container Freight Services joins union groups to help tsunami-ravaged Samoa
By Brad Gardner | December 11, 2009
Sydney-based operator Australian Container Freight Services has joined union groups to come to the aid of tsunami-ravaged Samoa.
The privately-owned company donated one of its trucks to cart a container of much-needed goods to the Pacific island, which was battered in September this year.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) raised the money to fill the 40-foot container with furniture, whitegoods, beds, lounges, books and a Holden utility.
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) supplied the container, and the delivery from Canberra to Port Botany was taken care of by ACFS driver Scott Brooks. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) also organised the delivery.
ACFS Managing Director Arthur Tzaneros says the company was happy to help get the goods to Samoa
“At the end of the day, we’re a company that supports a lot of charities,” ACFS Managing Director Arthur Tzaneros says.
“When the union called us we lent a helping hand.”
NRL team the Canberra Raiders, which is sponsored by the CFMEU, helped load the goods.
The tsunami was caused by an 8.3 magnitude earthquake and killed 170 people in Samoa and neighbouring islands.
Pictured are (from left) members of the Canberra Samoan Community including High Chief Malaki Aitolu and his wife Manai, ACFS driver Scott Brooks, Senator Kate Lundy (in truck), Canberra Raiders winger Daniel Vidot, TWU Canberra Secretary Klaus Pinkas and CFMEU Canberra Assistant Secretary Dean Hall.