Mar 18, 2020 | Airlines, American, Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Front Page, Hawaiian, Home, Home, MNPL, Organizing, Philippine, Safety, Safety, Spirit, Uncategorized, United |
IAMAW District 141 /////
Sisters and Brothers,
In recent weeks, many of you have contacted your local union representatives, Assistant General Chairpersons or me directly to express your fears of possible pay cuts, furloughs or the likelihood of your carrier going bankrupt or completely out of business. You have good reasons to be concerned.
The airline industry is facing an existential threat from a global pandemic. The spread of the Coronavirus across continents has resulted in a decrease in demand for air travel by two-thirds worldwide, with at least one airline going out of business. For over two months, airline workers have worked on the front lines of the crisis, and you have adapted to reductions in flight schedules, last-minute policy changes, and have worried about how to best protect your personal health and safety. The worst part is the unease that comes from not seeing a clear end to this crisis.
As airlines announce more cuts in service, IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja said today that “US carriers are contemplating further capacity cuts or shutting down operations altogether, which only a month ago was unimaginable.”
The President of the United States and members of Congress are discussing how they can best help the airline industry, which is the backbone of our nation’s economy. There are several ideas being considered, and we support any action that helps workers quickly and directly. As workers, we need to unite and say with a clear and strong voice that the need is great and immediate.
I urge you to call your representatives today at 202-224-3121 and ask them to take any action necessary to save our airline jobs.
Click here to send a message to your Federal Representatives:
Please act today to protect your job and those of thousands of airline workers and millions more who depend on our industry for their livelihoods. Many of you are applying for voluntary leaves and reductions in schedules, which shows how committed we are to get through this crisis together. I ask that we work with our elected officials to make sure no one gets left behind.
Thank you for your activism and solidarity.
Fraternally,
Mike Klemm
President and Directing General Chair,
District 141
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
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Mar 17, 2020 | Airlines, Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety |
IAMAW Transportation Territory ///
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
In response to the unprecedented destruction of demand for air travel due to COVID-19, US airlines are considering draconian measures to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic. US airlines have slashed capacity by up to 65 percent worldwide due to a drastic decrease in demand for air travel caused by COVID-19 and are mulling a complete shutdown.
US airlines have seen sharp declines in revenue caused by decreased demand. Carriers are bleeding and US airlines could be out of cash by the end of May.
“US carriers are contemplating further capacity cuts or shutting down operations altogether, which only a month ago was unimaginable,” said IAM General Vice President Sito Pantoja. “I call on Congress to act now and help the US airline industry and its employees survive this crisis. We need every airline worker to contact their elected officials today and demand the same.”
Currently, US Lawmakers are considering whether or not to provide emergency financial help for airlines, worth billions of dollars. This help is urgently needed. As union members, we need to act fast to protect our industry and make sure that lawmakers take immediate action.
Here’s how you can help now:
1) Call your members of Congress at 202-224-3121 and tell them to take any action necessary to save our airline jobs.
“This is the worst crisis ever seen in the airline industry, by far,” continued Pantoja. “We need immediate action. Hundreds of thousands of good middle-class jobs are at risk, as are our nation’s airlines through no fault of their making. Every airline industry job is in imminent jeopardy. Do not wait. Contact your representatives immediately to save our industry and our jobs.”
All IAM members must act today and call their elected representatives and demand action be taken to save hundreds of thousands of US airline jobs.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (District 141) Legislative Department works to keep lawmakers and public decision-makers informed about the things that are important to aerospace and airline workers. You can become a supporting member of the IAM141 MNPL by signing up for recurring donations of any amount today. Every dollar helps.
Mar 16, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Safety, Safety
IAMAW Transportation Territory ///
March 16, 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The change enveloping our industry is unprecedented. Each day brings us new revelations about where COVID-19 is spreading and how it is being transmitted. We wake up each day and learn about the latest travel restrictions imposed and what traditional parts of our daily life, such as sporting events, restaurants and our children’s schools, are suddenly closed for business.
What our industry is experiencing is extraordinary. We have been through deregulation, bankruptcies, industry consolidation and terrorists weaponizing our workplace. But we find ourselves today in a crisis, though temporary, that is unparalleled in our lifetimes.
Air and rail carriers simply have no playbook for what is happening to our industry. Anyone who tells you what the future holds in the coming days, weeks or months is simply guessing. Front-line air and rail workers, industry CEOs, Wall Street bankers and politicians are all in the same exact position – nobody knows exactly what will come next. But pretending a crisis does not exist is not a successful strategy.
If people aren’t traveling, whether by choice or imposed restrictions, planes will be parked and rail service will be cut. Less demand for travel means less demand for the services our members provide. While we protect ourselves and our families against this virus, we must also be ready for the temporary economic hardships that are likely to come.
Although the industry is better positioned than it was prior to 9-11, we must be prepared for short term turmoil that could be even greater than we endured in the wake of the 2001 attacks. The Machinists Union is in daily communication with our carriers trying to prevent any major disruption to our members. We are meeting with our elected leaders in the House and Senate to make sure you and your family are not forgotten as federal aid to the industry and other relief measures are being discussed. The IAM is working diligently to protect our members from the fallout the virus has created. However, just as no amount of care we take can guarantee we will not catch the virus, I cannot promise you there won’t be some short-term pain ahead.
One thing you can count on is the Machinists Union working on your behalf. The only reason we exist is to protect our members. While the specific circumstances are new, our responsibility is the same as it was in previous challenges: to ensure any negative impact to IAM members and their families is as little as necessary. The Machinists Union will draw on our extensive experience and resources in defending our members like we have done during previous crises. We will face the challenges ahead together, just as we always do, and emerge even stronger.
Please keep yourself and your family safe. Follow all CDC guidelines to minimize your risk for exposure or transmitting the virus further. Your health, and the health of those around you, are not things to gamble with.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Sito Pantoja,
General Vice President
Mar 16, 2020 | Airlines, Community Service Page, COVID, EAP, Education Class, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, MNPL, Pinned Post, Safety, Safety, Uncategorized, United
Dear United Member,
I’m sure by now most of you have had a chance to read the communication put out by Oscar Munoz and Scott Kirby last night. I want to start off by commending both men and their teams for keeping the IAM completely informed with the dire financial outlook of, not only United Airlines, but the airline industry in general. They have made it clear that their number one goal is to do everything possible to limit the impact on United’s workforce, which includes approximately 28,000 IAM members. With that said, it’s important you know the financial situation is significantly worse than the days and weeks following 9/11.
Oscar and Scott stated that March is typically United’s busiest month of the year. But this year, in just the first two weeks of March, one million fewer customers have boarded United aircraft compared to March, 2019. United is also currently projecting that revenue in March will be $1.5 billion lower than last March, and the months ahead look grim as well.
I want to share something with you. When Oscar and I came into our respective positions, weeks apart in 2015, he approached the Union and committed to do right by IAM members. He expressed his desire to enter negotiations early to improve the wages of IAM members at United.
Our response was, “wages are important but more critical than money is that IAM members’ work is protected. We need real job security and to not worry which station was next to be outsourced.” He heard us, understood IAM members’ needs and he and his team negotiated in good faith. We were able to gain the security IAM members so very much deserve. Oscar’s word was good and I am grateful for that.
The IAM’s current relationship with Oscar Munoz and Scott Kirby is solid and there exists a level of trust between both parties that we value. It is because of this relationship that the IAM will have input on any decisions that are made that will impact IAM members at United.
I want to emphasize that the IAM’s ONLY priority is to protect IAM members’ interests during this very uncertain time.
As more information becomes available, I will relay that to you.
God bless, stay safe and protect yourselves and your families by following the CDC guidelines.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Mike Klemm
President and Directing General Chair,
IAMAW District 141
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Mar 16, 2020 | COVID
Read Original Version
The COVID-19 outbreak is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It has spread rapidly around the globe and now throughout the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the outbreak as a pandemic. Federal health officials have said we should prepare for severe disruptions to group gatherings and public settings, such as schools and other workplaces, and everyday life, raising a number of concerns for working people.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS?
The COVID-19 virus is spreading from person to person, and there has been community transmission in the United States. Workplace exposure is a serious concern. Health care workers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents have become infected with the virus. The virus can spread through the air and survive on surfaces. It can be transmitted even when people do not have symptoms; symptoms may be mild and may not present for up to two weeks. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, muscle ache and fatigue, whereas a runny or stuffy nose and a sore throat are more common with the seasonal flu and common cold. The disease is more deadly than the seasonal flu, with a higher risk of severe disease or death among older people, individuals with an underlying illness, and current and former smokers. Those left unprotected at work are at a greater risk of becoming infected and spreading the virus.
Information on the outbreak and virus is constantly evolving. See the links at the end for the most up-to-date information.
WORKERS AT INCREASED RISK
Working people are at increased risk if they frequently interact with potentially infected or infected individuals. Workers, listed below, are on the front lines and have an increased risk of exposure; however, as the outbreak evolves, all workers may be affected in some way.
- Health care workers;
- Emergency responders (e.g., law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs);
- Airline operations (e.g., pilots, flight attendants, other airport workers);
- Other transportation operations;
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and TSA workers;
- Correctional workers;
- Educators;
- Cleaning workers;
- Workers who have been identified as “essential personnel” by their employers during an outbreak or quarantine; and
- Other workers with broad exposure to the public.
PRIORITIES FOR WORKERS AND UNIONS
- Comprehensive workplace plans to identify potential exposure routes, controls to mitigate risks, such as isolation, social distancing, and personal protective equipment, and training procedures.
- Emphasis on personal hygiene practices, hand-washing, and respiratory etiquette.
- Protocols to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations when hosting and attending events or large gatherings. These recommendations may change as the situation evolves.
- Strong standards and guidance from agencies in charge of protecting different groups of workers that recognize the necessity for airborne protections for front-line workers.
- Adequate supplies of personal protective equipment, especially N95 respirators and those offering a greater level of protection, and respirator fit testing.
- Plans for supply shortages, including triage and prioritization.
- Protocols in case of a workplace or community outbreak, including possible self-quarantine or workplace quarantine.
- Resources and preparation for a surge in demand for health services, including hospital beds and caregivers.
- Much greater capacity for coronavirus testing, with a priority for testing health care workers who take care of patients.
- Policies to make it possible for sick workers, quarantined workers, parents of children whose schools have closed and workers caring for loved ones in these situations to stay at home without the loss of pay, seniority or benefits.
- Policies to ensure that workers are not discouraged by cost considerations from seeking preventive treatment, testing, ongoing treatment or, eventually, voluntary vaccination.
- Policies to address the pandemic’s impact on the U.S. economy and on specific sectors, with a guarantee that any sectoral assistance actually benefits workers.
WHAT WE’VE DONE
- Launched immediate and ongoing response and coordination of information and expertise to address affiliate needs.
- Petitioned the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an emergency temporary standard for infectious diseases to protect all at-risk workers from COVID-19 and future infectious diseases.
- Procured supplemental funding that included worker health and safety training in emergency response preparedness and workplace procedures.
- Requested Congress to pass COVID-19 legislation and economic stimulus legislation that includes priorities of working people.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
- Working with Congress, federal agencies, and state and local governments to ensure workers are at the forefront of the U.S. strategy to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ensuring working people have the health and safety resources, training, and tools needed to be protected at work during this crisis.
- Demanding strong enforceable standards to ensure that employers provide workers the necessary protections to keep them safe from all injuries and illnesses on the job.
- Strengthening and rebuilding our systems of health care, other worker protections, and economic stabilizers whose weaknesses have been exposed by the crisis.
- Staying tuned to the AFL-CIO webpage below for the latest developments.
MORE INFORMATION
Mar 14, 2020 | COVID
IAMAW Transportation ///////
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
As the COVID-19 virus outbreak evolves and expands in the U.S. and across the globe, our industry has been especially vulnerable. It is our business to transport passengers and goods around the world. Unfortunately, this virus uses our workplace to jump from point to point, and that has made some people nervous to use the transportation services we provide.
Last night, President Trump issued travel restrictions from more than two dozen European countries. Air and rail carriers have also cut service to meet the temporary drop in demand for passenger travel. Our daily routine has and, most likely, will continue to be altered until this pandemic is under control. These changes create a natural apprehension for employees. We are in constant discussion with our carriers to ensure our members do not bear the brunt of the economic effects during this period.
Together, we have been through terrorist attacks, bankruptcies and other health-related threats to our industry. Transportation workers have unparalleled resilience, and we only need to compare our collective bargaining agreements today to what they looked like in the aftermath of 9/11 and subsequent industry restructuring as proof of our enduring strength.
Our intent is to continue ongoing negotiations with Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines. Upcoming negotiations with United Airlines are still scheduled to take place. National rail negotiations remain on track, as well as all other scheduled negotiations with IAM-represented carriers. Ratification of the historic American Airlines agreement will take place later this month. The business of the Machinists Union fighting for and protecting our members will continue as it always has.
It is the job of management to ensure we have a healthy industry. It is your union’s job to make sure that any temporary impact to a carrier does not result in permanent negative changes for our members. Jointly, union and management have a responsibility to make sure our members, their employees, are safe. The health of the industry cannot come at the expense of you and your family’s health.
I urge every IAM member to follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for the most effective prevention measures. We will continue to monitor these guidelines and pass on to you as much information as possible. Please visit
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html for more information. If you have concerns about potential exposure in the workplace, contact your District Lodge General Chair with your concerns.
The COVID-19 virus, according to the most recently available information, does not pose serious health risks to healthy adults and children. The problem with the virus is that it is extremely contagious and dangerous, even potentially life-threatening, for people over 50 years old and/or those individuals with underlying health conditions, particularly heart and lung conditions, diabetes, and immune-suppressing conditions. Please be safe and use common sense at work and at home so we can put this latest threat behind us.
Fraternally yours,
Sito Pantoja, General Vice President
