Optical Department Now Taking Limited Appointments
In a small step to having members enter the building, the Optical Dept will be taking a very limited number of appointments starting today. The appropriate safety protocals have been addressed to each member, and they have been instructed, and will be guided, to only proceed to Optical. I will be escorting them out as well. It is a process that will evolve, and I very much appreciate the support. Mark Mark Sidebotham/Licensed Optician/ManagerSidney Hillman Optical585.271.1911 msidebotham@rrjb.org
Union Workers Make Masks for Hospitals and Essential Workers
Recently, Xerox published a story (McCue, Matt, “How Xerox Turned Filters into Face Masks) describing how they worked together with another Rochester company to manufacture face masks aiming to protect health care workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. The story details the whole process from initial inspiration to the final product. What is especially significant is that these two companies were brought together by their connections to Rochester Regional Joint Board (RRJB). In Rochester and around the country, companies were asked to think about ways in which they could contribute to manufacturing much needed supplies such as personal protection equipment and hand-sanitizer. Stern and Stern, a producer of woven industrial fabrics and home to our Local 221, is producing protective medical fabric. A clothing designer from one of our union companies, Hickey Freeman, started to sew face masks to potentially supply local hospitals. Xerox also answered the call. Mark Adiletta, a long-time Xerox engineering manager wondered if they could use printer filters to make medical-grade face masks. They currently produced a printer that used a filter with an N95 rating. The CDC specifies that a mask with an N95 rating helps to prevent the spread of Flu, swine flu and avian flu, as well as COVID-19. With the help of Abu Islam, the head of the Advanced Technology Group who is leading the task force to implement these community-based ideas, Adiletta made a prototype using cloth. With a prototype in hand, they needed someone who could manufacture them quickly – a company who could sew the masks, something that Xerox did not have the ability to do. Gary Bonadonna and Ross Clark of RRJB was able to help bring together the two companies resulting in the manufacturing of 10,000 masks within the first two weeks. Both Xerox and Hickey Freeman have a long history with the union. Xerox (Local 14A) has a charter date 2/28/1952 and Hickey Freeman (Local 14) has a charter date of 6/28/1915 – both affiliation through ACWA at that time. Bonadonna says, “We all felt the pressure to move quickly to do anything that could help our front-line workers. It has been amazing to see how all parties involved have been able to respond and work together towards a common goal. I am especially grateful to our union workers who are at their place of work, making protective devices that will potentially save thousands of lives.” Clark, the business representative for Xerox and Hickey Freeman says, “If helping to bring these two unionized companies together during the COVID 19 Crisis helps create a positive impact during this challenging time, it shows no matter how big or how small, now more than ever, our communities need us working together advancing mutual interests.” There were 12 Hickey Freeman workers who sewed 10,000 masks in three days. Each worker averaged sewing one mask every two minutes. The masks were delivered to Rochester Regional Hospital, as well as to other essential workers. As of April 16, Hickey Freeman Union Workers are producing 6,000 masks per day. In addition, 25 workers have been called in to work. ##
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/
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/