As Canadians open their wallets to help fund relief efforts in Haiti, the Canadian Auto Workers union is asking its members — many of whom are unemployed — to donate to its new fund for Haiti.

"We pledge to help those in Haiti who are in need," said Ken Lewenza, CAW national president, who made the plea for support on Thursday.CAW president Ken Lewenza has asked union members to donate $250,000 to Haiti earthquake relief efforts. (The Canadian Press)

Lewenza asked union members to raise at least $250,000, with the goal of qualifying for matching funds from Ottawa under the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

"We're going to be there to do whatever we can for the Haitian people," said Rick Laporte, President of CAW Local 444, in Windsor, Ont. "We're going to have to do something. It's the most impoverished country in this hemisphere."

Millions raised for Tsunami relief

It's not the first time the union has launched a fundraising appeal after an international disaster.

In January 2005, CAW donations generated $2.1 million dollars for tsunami relief efforts following the natural disaster in south Asia.

"We have always been there to help people when they're in their time of need," said Laporte, whose local represents workers at Chrysler, Caesars Windsor, several auto parts plants, and fish processing facilities.

In his letter to CAW locals, Lewenza wrote, "CAW has a long history of working with Haiti and the Haitian people through projects of the Social Justice Fund and the Quebec Federation of Labour."

The CAW is the largest private sector union in the country representing 225,000 workers.