Local 221 Working to Make us Safer
Members of Local 221 remain dedicated to their jobs during this pandemic crisis. While many are staying at home, they go to work every day to do what they specialize in; manufacturing life-saving fabrics desperately needed by the government, medical and military communities. The process to create such a unique blend of material is a painstaking one, requiring precision and care. We are proud of our brothers and sisters, and marvel at their skills to manufacture that which protects those who are working hard to protect the rest of us. Photos and Text by Erin Young, RRJB Business Rep
For our Members Needing to File for Unemployment Benefits
Here are the documents our members need to prepare in advance of applying online. Advance collection of this information is helpful because some application sites will time out after a bit. Note some States might differ slightly on what is required, but this is pretty much the standard. Social Security Number. State Driver’s License or State Issued ID (Note: applications may still be completed without these two items). Mailing address, city, state and ZIP code. Know the county within the state where member resides. The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all of member’s employers for the last 18 months. The last day on the job immediately prior to filing this UI claim. If our member received severance, vacation, holiday or payment for unused sick pay: give the amount (before deductions) and the date it was paid to member. The name and local number of our member’s union hall, if applicable. Alien Registration Number, if applicable. Copy # 4 of member’s DD Form 214 if released from the military in the last 18 months* SF 8 or SF 50 if employed in Federal Civilian service in the last 18 months * If member is collecting a pension (other than Social Security), member will need the start date of the pension and the monthly benefit amount. When you are ready to file, go to the New York State website and click on “Unemployment Assistance”https://www.ny.gov/ If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your Business Representative. Contact information here: Business Representatives: https://workersunitedupstate.org/contact/
RRJB Asking Companies to Switch Gears
UPDATE: The Governor is also encouraging any company with the proper equipment or personnel to begin to manufacture PPE products if possible. The state is willing to provide funding to any company to obtain the proper equipment and personnel. Businesses interested in receiving state funding to manufacture PPE products should contact Eric Gertler at 212-803-3100 or COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov. Rochester Regional Joint Board is working to connect members, companies, and local health care facilities to fight the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Joseph Nicholas, Sidney Hillman Medical Director, asked the union for help reaching out to companies and their workers to ask if they would be able to urgently repurpose their production lines towards making masks, gloves, and other protective gear for health care workers. RRJB Manager, Gary Bonadonna Jr., contacted the union Business Representatives and they in turn have been reaching out to the companies. So far, there has been many positive responses from local employers. This is a developing story and we will report on their progress as we hear back. Any companies interested in producing protective medical gear or supplies can contact: Dr. Joseph Nicholasjnicholas@rrjb.org
Hickey Freeman Looking for Home Sewers to Make Face Masks
“Jeffery Diduch, vice president of technical design at Hickey Freeman in Rochester, put out a call on his social media page to attract home sewers who may be able to help.” Read more at the Democrat and Chronicle: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2020/03/20/a-call-for-home-sewers-to-make-masks-to-help-coronavirus-pandemic-from-hickey-freeman-vice-president/2885241001/
WRO Meetings Canceled
The next two WRO meetings are canceled for April and May. A decision will be made to schedule the next meeting when we get closer to June and will be posted to this website. Thank you.