Contact: Lynne Baker, USW Communications o) 615-831-6782, c) 615-828-6169

The United Steelworkers (USW) Nashville Taxi Drivers union is offering free rides to flood victims in Nashville for one week starting Monday, May 17, 2010. Volunteer cab drivers will help flood victims with free transportation around town.

"This is the least we could do to help our Nashville neighbors who have lost their homes, cars and possessions," said a driver. "We can take them to places like a grocery store, pharmacy, doctor's office, work, or school."

Flood victims needing a ride can contact:
Adugna       615-423-3118
Shimelese   615-496-4629
Elyas           615-597-4781

Earlier this week the drivers filled over 30 cabs with food, diapers and other supplies and delivered it to a donation center. They also helped a homeowner on the west side of Nashville clear out her home that was destroyed in the flood.

Nashville taxi drivers formed their union in April and have over 130 members.

"Unions are about helping people get a better life for themselves and their families, and they're there to help folks in their time of need," said one of the taxi drivers.

The USW is the largest industrial union in North America and has 850,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. It represents workers employed in metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, atomic energy and the service sector.