IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. brings members up to date on the union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resources available to the membership.
After unions called on authorities to bring down the cost of parking at Houstons’ airports during the COVID-19 outbreak, Airport Commissioner Mario Diaz announced that free parking passes would be issued for airport workers.
Victor Hernandez, Assistant General Chairperson from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 141, said, “Our employees park remotely and have to take a bus to the terminal, but these buses are packed like sardines. It is nearly impossible to practice social distancing. Our union asked the city of Houston and Houston airport system to make airport terminal parking available to airport workers at no or low cost, and after weeks of advocacy they listened.”
Hernandez and other Union activists in Houston were able to secure hundreds of free parking passes for airline workers, preventing thousands of dollars in fees. More importantly, it will make the commute to work safer for everyone, including those who do not end up using the passes, since the remaining workers will come to work in busses that are much less crowded.
“Airport workers would like to express appreciation to Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston airport system director Mario Diaz, and Ian Wadsworth, Chief Commercial Officer of the Houston airport system, for their support,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez and the International Association of Machinists led the advocacy effort for workers at the airport, with support from the Texas Gulf Coast area labor Federation.
Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Executive Director Hany Khalil said, “this is a great win for the working people keeping Houston’s airports running. Having a union gives workers a voice to speak up for safety protections on the job and protect public health. But it’s just a start. Working families need the city of Houston to adopt bold measures to protect the health of workers and critical industries and provide relief to workers who have lost jobs and hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
District 141 President Mike Klemm also praised the union in Houston, saying, “This work could not have been done by a single person. This is the kind of effort that can only be done in union with other people that share our same goals. This is one more example of outstanding leadership from our front-line sector. I applaud the women and men of Local Lodges 2198 and 811 for getting this done.”
Our Union is facing the COVID-19 Pandemic together. Everyone is pitching in. Nobody can do it alone. Share the hard work that your local lodge, membership, and committees are doing to help protect airline workers and passengers through this crisis.
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the news that one of our own, Carlos Consuegra, a Ramp Services Agent at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, passed away from complications related to COVID-19.
Our Brother Carlos was a 12-year veteran at United Airlines who loved his job because it allowed him to travel, something he enjoyed. His daughter Kay described him as a devoted father and a huge sports fan who loved playing and coaching baseball and softball. He also enjoyed singing and karaoke and often took his parents on trips to visit family and close friends. Members of Local 914 remember him as a generous co-worker always willing to share his knowledge with younger members of his team.
Our union family joins his two children, three grandchildren, eight siblings, his parents and his partner in their sorrow. We are doing our best to comfort the family under these difficult circumstances.
Carlos’s passing is a blow to all of us who are facing this unprecedented challenge to our industry and our nation from the front lines. We are in mourning, but this sadness will only strengthen our fight for better protections at work, wider availability of testing and a stronger call to everyone in our communities to do their part to stop the spread of this deadly virus. We must all work harder so we do not have to experience more tragedies like this.
Rest in Peace, Brother Carlos.
In Solidarity,
Mike Klemm
President and Directing General Chair
District 141, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
CDC recommendations updated to include face coverings.
The Centers for Disease Control continue to study the spread of coronavirus in the United States. Last week, they updated recommendations for people in situations where social distancing can be difficult, such as workplaces like airports or call centers. Wearing a face cover is now encouraged to help slow down the spread of the virus, which can happen even when people are showing no symptoms of the disease.
Medical grade and one-time-use masks are in short supply and they are urgently needed by healthcare workers. Maintaining a 6-foot distance is still the best way to protect yourself while interacting with others, and using a mask is not a substitute for that practice. The new CDC recommendation however, states that a simple cloth mask is an additional and effective measure.
Alice Martins from Local 914 in Newark, NJ is working in one of the epicenters of the outbreak of coronavirus. She shared her video showing how to make a face cover using a United Airlines uniform scarf. All you need is a scarf and two rubber bands – no sewing required! Thank you, Alice!
What measures are you taking in your city to protect workers from the spread of coronavirus? Let us know in the comments below!
District 141 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is offering six $1,000 scholarships and one $2,000 scholarship to the winners of its yearly Adolph Stutz Memorial essay contest. The contest is open to select union members and their families.
Children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members with one year or more of good standing in District Lodge 141 who are graduating high school seniors or who are currently enrolled full time and/or commencing college full time. The competition is also open to any members with one year or more of good standing in District Lodge 141 who are enrolled in college with a minimum of six units per semester.
Applications must be signed by a Local Lodge Recording Secretary to ensure that the sponsoring member qualifies for the scholarship program. District union officers, their families, and previous winners are not eligible.
This year’s topic is, “What I Look For in a Leader in This Election Year.” Applicants, including graduating high school seniors or college students, are asked to sumbit essays with at least 700 words and a maximum of 1,000 words.
Entries must be printed on standard-sized paper (8.5″ x 11″) and must also be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document. The entrant’s name or other identification should appear on each page, with the title of the essay at the top of the paper. All entries should include a recent image of the applicant.
Six essays will be selected to win $1,000 scholarships, and one will be selected for the $2,000 top prize. In addition to the money, the top essay will be featured in the District 141 quarterly Newsletter.
The competition ends at midnight on July 24, 2020, and winners will be announced by August 1, 2020.
Click Here for full contest rules and a printable application >>
District 141 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has announced that applications are now being accepted for The Adolph Stutz Memorial Scholarship Essay Competition. This year, $8,000 worth of scholarship money will be awarded to help cover the costs of higher education. The writer of the top essay will be awarded a scholarship worth $2,000, and six additional students will get $1,000 each.
The essay competition is open to children, spouses and dependent grandchildren of union members in District Lodge 141 who are graduating high school seniors or who are currently enrolled or starting college full time. The competition is also open to any members with one year or more of good standing in District Lodge 141 who are enrolled in college with a minimum of six units per semester. District Lodge 141 officers and their families are not eligible.
The contest ends on July 15, 2020, at midnight.
See below for full contest rules and requirements.