How the Machinists Union is Critical to the Afghanistan Evacuation Efforts

How the Machinists Union is Critical to the Afghanistan Evacuation Efforts

Aug 30, 2021 | Airlines, Front Page, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2

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How the Machinists Union is Critical to the Afghanistan Evacuation Efforts

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The IAM is proud to be the largest aerospace, airline, and defense labor union in North America. The recent evacuation efforts of thousands of U.S. citizens and allies in Afghanistan have been made possible by IAM members throughout the union.

Both commercial and military aircraft being used in the evacuation effort are built and maintained by IAM members. In addition, IAM members work side-by-side with the military on bases across the country that are housing Afghan refugees upon their arrival to the United States.

“Our union is proud to be a part of this important mission to safely return U.S. citizens back home and to keep our promises to Afghan allies,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr., a U.S. Navy veteran. “As a union with such a large percentage of military veterans, we are honored to once again play a vital role in supporting our men and women in uniform. I send my sincere thanks to every IAM member and our brave service members who make this effort possible.”

The IAM Veteran Services Department has compiled resources available to military veterans experiencing a wide range of emotions during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

 

 

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141 Report: Summer Fun, Fundraising, and Politics

141 Report: Summer Fun, Fundraising, and Politics

Aug 27, 2021 | Front Page, MNPL, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2

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Dave Lehive was at the Local 1487 Golf Outing last week, where the sold-out event attracted 144 golfers on a beautiful summer day. This was the Chicago local’s biggest fundraising event of the year to benefit Guide Dogs of America and Tender Loving Canines.

141 Report: Summer Fun, Fundraising, and Politics

Dave Lehive was at the Local 1487 Golf Outing last week, where the sold-out event attracted 144 golfers on a beautiful summer day. This was the Chicago local’s biggest fundraising event of the year to benefit Guide Dogs of America and Tender Loving Canines.

The organizing committee, led by Local 1487 President Tony Licciardi, spent six months planning the event, which received the support of many of the local’s friends and allies in the community. Union members, their families, and friends enjoyed a great course, fellowship, and fresh air while raising much-needed funds for the Machinists Union’s favorite charity. GDA President Russ Gitlin attended the event accompanied by McCoy, a 2 ½-year-old Labrador Retriever who is ready to be placed with a blind person.  

Sponsors of the event included National Group Protection and District 141. Friends of the late District 141 AGC Rich Pascarella, who was a prominent supporter of Guide Dogs of America, sponsored a golf hole to raise money for the pups in his memory.

Dave flew from Illinois to New Jersey for the New Jersey State Council of Machinists Conference, which took place at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. 

Ines Garcia-Keim, a Communications Rep at District 141 and Dave’s colleague, presided over the council’s meeting for the last time, as they elected a new Executive Board. Cristino Vilorio, a Business Representative from Local 447, and Michael Buonpastore, a Safety Rep from Local 1776, were elected President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively. Brother Buonpastore is a New Jersey resident who previously served as the State Council’s Education Director. Bill Gula, President of Local 914, and Rich Howell, former president of Local 1776, were elected Vice Presidents, and Rich Creighton from District 141 and Obie O’Brien from Local 1776 were elected Trustees. 

Ines explains how the State Council serves as the political arm of the union, building relationships, and solidarity with elected officials and allies in labor. The council works to ensure that union members and all working people influence legislation that affects our work and communities. After a year of hiatus because of the pandemic, Ines leaves the council in excellent hands, as she moves into her new role as an Education Representative at the William W. Winpisinger Center. 

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What is United Doing?

What is United Doing?

Aug 25, 2021 | COVID, Front Page, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2

What is United Doing?

August 25, 2021

As you are likely aware, United Airlines’ top management has mandated that all United Airlines employees must have received their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or the only shot of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, by September 27th or face termination. IAM District 141 opposes mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. We have discussed ways to increase vaccination incentives and testing procedures for IAM members who are hesitant to get the vaccine. United has refused to adequately use incentive programs in this effort.

Yesterday, however, United Ground Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings Inc., a subsidiary which is completely controlled by United CEO, Scott Kirby, informed UGE employees that they are NOT required to be vaccinated as a condition of employment AND there exists NO plan for a testing regime for UGE employees. The lack of consistent vaccine rules at UA/UGE will not create a safer environment for our membership.

CEO Scott Kirby and President Brett Hart said the following: “We know some of you will disagree with this decision to require the vaccine for all United employees, but we have no greater responsibility to you and your colleagues than to ensure your safety when you’re at work, and the facts are crystal clear: everyone is safer when everyone is vaccinated.”

What the hell is the difference between United and UGE employees? 

On the one hand, Scott Kirby is framing the vaccine requirements at United as a matter of employee safety. On the other hand, he is allowing vaccinations to be optional at UGE. The decision on whether or not to impose vaccine mandates is already extremely controversial. Mixed messaging like this is making the situation far more provocative than it needs to be. If mandates are not needed at UGE, then why are they being imposed at United?

UGE and United employees work side by side in locations such as EWR, ORD and DEN. Workers in those locations are entitled to the same safety measures when at work. 

While we may not agree with an unnecessarily punitive strategy of vaccine mandates, we must have a consistent approach from the company.

This is what UGE President Ken Brown wrote to his employees yesterday: “We have heard from many employees on this topic and every possible point of view has been represented. No deeply held position is invalid and we respect everyone’s ability to decide what is best for themselves.”

All IAM members at United Continental Holdings Inc. can rest assured that IAM District 141 will do all that it can to find out why United management has two completely different and conflicting policies regarding keeping their employees safe during the worst pandemic in over 100 years.

In solidarity with all IAM members, 

Michael G. Klemm
President and Directing General Chair,
IAMAW District 141

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Delta Air Lines Will Charge Unvaccinated Employees $200 a Month

Delta Air Lines Will Charge Unvaccinated Employees $200 a Month

Aug 25, 2021 | COVID, Front Page, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2

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Delta Air Lines Will Charge Unvaccinated Employees $200 a Month

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According to Delta CEO Ed Bastian, employees who refuse to get vaccinated will have to pay a $200 a month insurance surcharge to help offset the financial burden they create for the company.

The policy, announced in a memo this week, will make Delta the first company of its size to require unvaccinated workers to help pay for a portion of the financial risk involved with employing them. According to Bastian, each employee hospitalized with COVID 19 costs the airline an average of $50,000. Delta self-insures its workforce, which means the company has to bear the brunt of employees’ COVID-related health care.

“The average hospital stay for COVID-19 has cost Delta $50,000 per person,” Bastian wrote in the memo. “This surcharge will be necessary to address the financial risk the decision to not vaccinate is creating for our company,” he continued. 

“In recent weeks since the rise of the B.1.617.2 variant, all Delta employees who have been hospitalized with COVID were not fully vaccinated,” he said. Bastian estimates that 70% of employees are already at least partially vaccinated.

Delta was the first US airline to impose vaccine mandates when it began requiring new hires to show proof that they had received a COVID vaccination. However, until now, Delta had stopped short of extending the requirement to all employees. 

The $200 a month surcharge will apply to employees’ health insurance premiums and are set to begin on November 1.

In addition, unvaccinated employees will need to turn in weekly COVID tests and must wear masks indoors. Delta employees get “Pay Protection” when they contract a COVID-related illness and have to miss work. Starting September 30, only vaccinated employees who experience a breakthrough infection will qualify for the program. Unvaccinated employees will have to use their sick banks.

Earlier this week, the Pentagon ordered all US Military Servicemembers and civilian contractors to be vaccinated. In making that policy announcement, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin previewed much of the same reasoning behind the Delta memo. Citing the impact that widespread COVID infections could pose to military readiness, he ordered that servicemen be vaccinated “immediately.” The Federal Government is the largest employer in the US.

Other large companies require proof of immunity to COVID of their workforces, including many of Delta’s competitors. United Airlines, Frontier, Hawaiian, Cathay Airlines, and Air Canada are now requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Alaska Airlines is considering a similar move, citing this week’s FDA General Use Authorization of the Pfizer vaccine.

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United Airlines: Timeframe for Employee Vaccinations is Tight

United Airlines: Timeframe for Employee Vaccinations is Tight

Aug 25, 2021 | COVID, Front Page, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2

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United Airlines: Timeframe for Employee Vaccinations is Tight

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United Airlines issued a memo on Tuesday laying out the dates by which employees must receive their vaccinations against COVID-19. For those who have yet to get immunized, the timeframes are tight. 

According to the memo, “every U.S.-based United employee (including Guam and Puerto Rico) will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and upload their vaccination record to Flying Together by September 27, 2021,” to remain employed at the airline. 

United CEO Scott Kirby has also stated that health and religious exemptions are available for those who qualify. Few details about how this process will work have been adequately explained.

The latest date unvaccinated employees can get their first dose of the fully FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine is September 6. The FDA granted General Use Authorization status to the Pfizer vaccine on Monday of this week. 

For those receiving the Moderna vaccine, the last date to begin the two-shot process is August 30. These dates give United employees enough time to get their second doses by the September 27 cut-off date. 

Those getting the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine have until September 27, but should still get vaccinated as soon as possible in case only Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are available in their area.

Those who can show proof of vaccination before September 20 qualify for an extra day’s pay.

United Airlines: Vaccination Timeframes

August 30 – Last day to get first shot of Moderna Vaccine

August 31 – Last day to submit Reasonable Accommodation Requests*

September 6 – Last day to get first shot of Pfizer Vaccine

September 20 – Last day to qualify for a days pay by uploading proof of vaccination

September 27 – All United employees must be vaccinated by this date unless granted an exemption

*Reasonable Accommodations don’t have a deadline. The date (8/31) provided by United is intended to provide enough time for review and processing for this specific requirement’s deadline

 

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With Full FDA Approval, All Military Servicemembers Will Be Vaccinated For COVID-19

With Full FDA Approval, All Military Servicemembers Will Be Vaccinated For COVID-19

Aug 24, 2021 | Front Page, Page Five, Page Four, Page Three, Page Two, Perusals, Row 2

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With Full FDA Approval, All Military Servicemembers Will Be Vaccinated For COVID-19

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On Monday, the FDA granted complete General Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The decision means that orders issued by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that all United States military service members must get inoculated against COVID-19 will go into effect “immediately.”

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of the largest labor unions within the Defense and Aerospace industry. Members of the IAMAW build and maintain a wide range of military hardware, including warships, planes, and armored vehicles.

“I will seek the President’s approval to make the vaccines mandatory no later than mid-September,” Secretary Austin wrote in a memo to the Department of Defense issued earlier this month. “Or immediately upon the U.S. Food and Drug Agency (FDA) licensure, whichever comes first.”

The orders extend to all active-duty and national guard service members and all civilian employees of the Department of Defense. Companies who work on behalf of the Defense Department will also need to prove their employees are vaccinated before being awarded contracts.

In all, the orders ensure that the Nation’s 1.3 million military service members and 400 thousand members of the National Guard are protected from COVID-19.

“To defend this Nation, we need a healthy and ready force. I strongly encourage all DoD military and civilian personnel – as well as contractor personnel – to get vaccinated now,” Secretary Austin wrote. Members of the Armed Forces should “not to wait for the mandate,” he continued.

A timeline for when the vaccinations would be completed is expected to be released later this week.

The decision by the FDA to grant General Use Authorization to the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is expected to set off a tidal wave of employer vaccine requirements. According to a USA Today / Ipsos poll released this week, 61% of Americans support COVID vaccine requirements. A substantial majority of respondents, 72%, say that mask mandates are a “matter of health and safety,” and are not infringements of personal liberty. Another 68% voiced support for businesses that choose to deny service to unvaccinated customers.

According to the Pentagon, 76% of the Armed Forces are partially vaccinated already, and 68% are fully vaccinated. A breakdown by branch shows that the US Marine Corp is 57% fully vaccinated, along with 65% of active-duty soldiers in the Army. In the Air Force, 62% of Airmen are fully vaccinated. The Navy is the most well-protected, with 76% of active duty Sailors fully immunized against COVID-19.

Military leaders have compared illnesses related to COVID-19 to other diseases that have weakened military readiness, such as malaria and smallpox. Since the founding of the Nation, disease has routinely killed more military personnel than enemy soldiers. In 1776, then-General George Washington ordered troops under his command to be vaccinated against smallpox. Although rare in the U.S. today, smallpox took a nightmarish toll on Washington’s Army. Smallpox causes vomiting and deep, painful ulcers in the mouth and skin, eventually leading to death in some cases. A staggering 90% of Washington’s military casualties resulted from smallpox. Since Washington’s vaccine mandates, the U.S. military has considered them a tool that gives Service Members a strategic advantage over armies that do not require vaccines.

Many civilian companies are reaching the same conclusion as the U.S. Military. A growing number of private companies now require employee vaccinations, expecting a strategic advantage over competitors. COVID-related employee outages and health care costs are a potentially crushing expense for companies and a significant drag on worker productivity. Companies such as United Airlines, McDonald’s, Citigroup, among many others, now require vaccinations that they hope will keep critical staff healthy and on the frontlines of the economy. 

 

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