United in Remembrance: EWR Honors Friendships, Lives Together

United in Remembrance: EWR Honors Friendships, Lives Together

May 14, 2020 | Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Home, Home, Uncategorized | 0 comments

United in Remembrance

Members of Local 914 in Newark remember lives lost, join to lift spirits.

Machinists Union members joined co-workers from United and other airport employees in front of Terminal C at Newark Liberty Airport on Wednesday morning to remember 12 United workers who have died from complications due to COVID-19.

The event was organized by Nereida Perez, a United Customer Service Agent and member of IAM Local Lodge 914. In front of an arrangement of 12 white balloons with the name of every Newark-based United worker who lost their battle with the disease, several speakers called for unity and hope during times of trial. IAM member Gyana Garcia reminded event participants that “life, friendships and heart is what matters,” and to celebrate the lives of co-workers who are “soaring as high as our planes will go.” 

 

New York and New Jersey lead the nation in confirmed cases of coronavirus and deaths, and the Newark area remains under strict restrictions to combat the outbreak. Officers from the Port Authority Police closed the upper-level road leading to the terminal to allow attendees to maintain physical distancing during the ceremony. Some of those who attended are on voluntary leaves of absence, but traveled to the airport to share memories and support brothers and sisters who remain at work.

 

The ceremony honored the lives of 11 employees from ramp, customer service, catering ops, tech ops, administrative and one retired customer service worker. Local 914 member Lance Williams led the crowd in a rendition of “Amazing Grace,” and Tyrone Coley announced to the crowd he was honored to sing at the event just before he began his retirement. 

 

Nereida was grateful to co-workers and supervisors for their help planning the event and was pleased with the strong response and solidarity. “We needed to do this to help each other,” she said. 

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Helping Hands Newsletter: Healthy Workplace Relationships

Helping Hands Newsletter: Healthy Workplace Relationships

May 14, 2020 | Community Service, Community Service Page, COVID, EAP, Featured, Featured News, Front Page, Helping Hands, Home, Home, Uncategorized | 0 comments

EAP Peers;

As many communities and states start to ease the restrictions everyone has been under, there will be concerns about returning to the workplace. For most of us, we have been at work as essential workers. Returning to the workplace isn’t an issue because we have continued to be in the workplace. There are many physical issues that have been and will be addressed. Of concern also are the relationships in the workplace. Each of us brings our own set of concerns about what our workplace will look like going forward. This issue focuses on workplace relationships. 

There are ideas about how to foster positive relationships in the workplace. Additionally, responding to co-workers when they are anxious, depressed or showing any signs of not coping are addressed.

The EAP peer network is an important part of the corona virus recovery. Thank you for continuing to be a part of this network! I am grateful for each one of you and all of the support you are giving to everyone around you. We will get through this!

Bryan,
Bryan Hutchinson, M.S.

Helping Hands Special Edition

The Employee Assistance Program is a compassionate, confidential, and free service that has helped hundreds of people cope with personal crises.

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Houston Locals 2198 and 811 Lobby to Avoid Crowded Busses

Houston Locals 2198 and 811 Lobby to Avoid Crowded Busses

Apr 12, 2020 | Community Service, Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety, Safety, Uncategorized | 0 comments

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. 

Share Your COVID-19 Story Here
COVID Update: In Memory of Carlos Consuegra

COVID Update: In Memory of Carlos Consuegra

Apr 11, 2020 | Community Service, Community Service Page, COVID, EAP, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety, Safety | 0 comments

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

VIDEO: Make a Face Cover With a Uniform Scarf

VIDEO: Make a Face Cover With a Uniform Scarf

Apr 6, 2020 | Community Service, Community Service Page, COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Safety, Uncategorized, United | 0 comments

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!

March Helping Hands EAP Newsletter: Coping With Coronavirus

March Helping Hands EAP Newsletter: Coping With Coronavirus

Mar 19, 2020 | Community Service Page, COVID, EAP, Featured, Front Page, Helping Hands, Home, Home, Uncategorized | 0 comments

EAP Peer Coordinators:

 
Coronavirus has changed everything. All Airlines have experienced a severe drop off of load factors associated with reduced flying due to governmental flying restrictions.
 
This special edition addresses the situation by looking at how to cope with stress in this specific situation. I ask you to distribute the issue everywhere you believe it would benefit from the content.
 
We are facing unprecedented events – you are on the front lines and getting the brunt of this most difficult situation. Know that all of us – the regional representative, the airline coordinators and me are all available to talk through any situation. That is why we are here – to support you.
 

Thank you for supporting your co-workers while you and your family are facing the same uncertainty. One thing I do know – we will get through this – together. There has never been anything we have not been able to respond to and to find our way through!  I am confident we will get through this.

Bryan,

Bryan Hutchinson, M.S.
 

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March Helping Hands Newsletter >>

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