New COVID-19 Safety Measures at United

New COVID-19 Safety Measures at United

Apr 15, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, Organizing, Safety, Safety, United | 0 comments

District 141 has just been informed that United Airlines, in an effort to reduce the risk of possible transmission of any virus to our agents who interact with customers, will be installing personal barriers made of Plexiglas in the areas where our agents are most vulnerable. 

The following test locations have been chosen based on flight schedule:  IAD, ORD, SFO, LAX, DFW, PDX, and MCO. Twenty (20) podium guards and two (2) gate reader guards will be overnighted to each location and installed tomorrow. DEN will have its guards in place today, as they don’t need to be shipped.

Once in place, the company will immediately look for feedback on the effectiveness of the guards. When a decision is reached the company will start ordering the guards for all remaining stations. They will advise us of the rollout schedule as the guards are being manufactured. The company said they would like a test phase that enables them to get good feedback while still being able to expedite the process of installation.

The company has begun temperature checks for employees prior to starting their shift. EWR, LGA, MSY, IAH and SFO Base have started. Other locations will be coming online as they get the procedures and staff in place to ensure everyone’s safety. You will be receiving information from your specific locations station leadership prior to it being implemented.  When the District is informed of stations beginning more checks we will post it.

 

International President of the IAMAW Addresses the COVID-19 Crisis

International President of the IAMAW Addresses the COVID-19 Crisis

Apr 15, 2020 | COVID, EAP, Education, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home, MNPL, Organizing, Safety, Safety, Uncategorized | 0 comments

A Message to The Membership of the IAMAW

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.

Visit GoIAM.org

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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

Options and Flexibility for IAM Members

Options and Flexibility for IAM Members

Apr 7, 2020 | COVID, Featured, Front Page, Home, Home | 0 comments

You can extend your paid sick leave during the COVID-19 Crisis.

April 6, 2020

While the CARES Act provides payroll security for airline employees for the next 6 months, the industry is facing a decrease of over 80% in demand for air travel. To reduce costs and limit physical contact, carriers are also trying to reduce the number of employees working at airports by offering paid and unpaid leaves of absence.   

We all worry about how we will pay our bills if we are not working and the possibility we may need a prolonged period to recover from illness. IAM members working at United Airlines have an option in our contracts for additional paid sick leave. Our Collective Bargaining Agreements, Article 5, Vacation and Holidays, Paragraph 6, state:

Variable Use Option. Employees may convert up to 2 weeks of accrued vacation per year into their sick bank, up to the maximum sick bank accrual, for the purpose of funding sick pay for a planned upcoming significant medical event (e.g., maternity or major surgery or course of treatment, which will be documented).

This clause is part of IAM District 141 agreements with United for Fleet and Customer Service Agents, Storekeepers, Maintenance Instructors, Security Guards, and Central Load Planners.

Please contact your station’s management if you wish to use this option. You can also reach out to your Local Grievance Committee or AGC with questions or concerns, and to find out more about how your IAMAW Union contract can help protect your health and your job.

We do not yet see a clear end to this crisis. This contract clause provides flexibility and peace of mind to members with chronic health conditions or in high-risk situations where they must stay home for an extended period to protect themselves and their families.

Please continue to follow CDC guidelines and state and local mandates and take every precaution to safeguard your health and safety. This virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by people showing no symptoms of the disease. If you feel sick, please take care of yourself and protect your co-workers by staying home and calling your healthcare provider for an evaluation of your symptoms.

All District 141 Representatives are working with United Airlines managers to ensure that sick calls during the coronavirus crisis will not trigger progressive disciplinary action. If you need help getting time off to deal with COVID-19, contact a member of your Grievance Committee as soon as possible.

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!