CORONAVIRUS UPDATE FROM PRESIDENT BOB BLAIR: STEPS UFCW 227 IS TAKING TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
March 30, 2020
Dear Union Family,
To all of our members on the frontlines of this pandemic – thank you. The work you are doing to get the communities that you live in through this crisis will not be forgotten.
I will not pretend these last few weeks have been easy. It has been incredibly difficult and stressful. You are concerned about your health and safety; and that of your loved ones. You have been working harder than ever before. You also worry, as we all do, how long will this last.
You are not in this alone. Your union at the local and International level is advocating on your behalf with employers as well as elected officials to make sure that your hard work and dedication during this crisis is recognized.
The actions we wanted you to know about include:
Employer DiscussionsThe local union and International union are having ongoing discussions with management and employers about the steps they are taking (and should take) to protect your job, pay and benefits. We have negotiated emergency pay increases and other immediate benefits with employers in food retail, food processing, and meatpacking all across the United States. We have demanded specific safety actions, such as personal protection equipment, installing barriers, and enforcing social distancing for our members who work closely with the public or each other. We will continue to push for more for you and your families during this crisis.
First Responder StatusTo ensure that the critical work you are doing is recognized and protected, we are in discussions with the Governors of Kentucky and Indiana to designate our grocery retail, health, and food processing members as “first responders.” This designation, we believe, will provide quicker access to testing and additional protections necessary to do your vital jobs. You can read in the news about our efforts: Union wanting protections for front line workers during pandemic
Policy Solutions
Legislatively, we pushed for national economic relief that will provide up to $1,200 for members earning less than $75,000 a year (or $2,400 for a married couple making less than $150,000). Additionally, we obtained 3.5 billion dollars for childcare for essential workers. As Kentucky and Indiana roll out these important benefits we will fight for our members in essential industries to be included.
Member CommunicationsWe are continuing to create and update informational materials to distribute through all of the different communications platforms we have available, such as Facebook or email, to help all of our members be aware of actions they should take to keep themselves safe at home and at work. Click here to learn about important updates to unemployement that could benefit you or your family. You can also learn about Indiana Govenor Holcomb’s Stay at Home Order and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshears Healthy at Home Order on our website.
We have also developed a number of ways to keep UFCW members aware of critical workplace and Coronavirus updates. You can text the word PREPARED to 83071 or visit https://www.ufcw227.org/healthandsafetyreportform where you will also be able to file a report about any—and I mean any—workplace safety or health issue.
Every hard-working man and woman still working to get our country through this crisis deserves hero pay and the equipment you need to protect your health and safety. Some employers are stepping up, but unfortunately some haven’t yet. We will keep fighting for this because you deserve it for all of your work during this difficult and stressful time. This pandemic is not about their bottom line profits, this is about the lives of you and your families.
Stay strong and stay safe. You are not alone. UFCW 227 is here for you and will continue to fight for you.
In Solidarity,
Bob Blair
President
UFCW 227