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. ##
Barista Magazine Spotlights SPoT Coffee Workers
“Under the new contract, SPoT employees have significant wage increases, paid sick time, fair staffing levels, and protections from unfair discipline and firings. “People are excited to go to work today. Their attitude and outlook towards working has improved dramatically. People are proud to work for SPoT now. We’ve had a lot of people that want to work for SPoT Coffee because they hear we have a union,” Zach says.”
Hickey Freeman Now Making Masks
“They’re doing an awesome job over there. From prototype to final product. From surgical leftovers to end pieces. Working with black button on antiseptic for the employees. Michael’s for nose pieces. It’s crazy. There are able to sew 3000+ surgical masks a day (12 workers) and the cutters are able to cut 20,000 a day. They should have their first production surgical gown today. Fantastic story. Talked to Jeffrey Diduch about creating them from the leftovers.” Photos and text by Dana Keaton, Sidney Hillman Health Center
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
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/
Governor Cuomo Announces Hickey Freeman Tailored Clothings To Add Up To 80 Jobs at Historic Rochester Locations
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the parent company of world-renowned clothier Hickey Freeman, Luxury Men’s Apparel Group, has committed to creating up to 80 new jobs over the next three years. By stabilizing operations and improving efficiencies at the historic factory in the City of Rochester, the company will not only create new jobs, but also retain its current 420 positions to further supporting anti-poverty efforts in Monroe County. Gary Bonadonna Jr., Manager of the Rochester Regional Joint Board, Workers United said, “I applaud ESD for supporting Hickey Freeman. This is not just another factory, and this is not just another job. This is an iconic business with a strong labor union representing its employees. Our Union and Hickey Freeman have 100+ years of history and is the finest example of a true labor-management partnership. This support will help to ensure the job security of 400 union members and adding more in the near future. Hickey Freeman workers have committed their lives to this factory and take tremendous pride in their craft and making the best men’s suits in the country. This is an incredible day for Workers United and Hickey Freeman.” For more information about Hickey Freeman, go to: https://www.governor.ny.gov/…/governor-cuomo-announces-hick…
Radisson Corning Ranked by U.S. News and World Report
U.S. News and World Report just released their annual list of Best Hotels Rankings and one of our own was named among the country’s best! The Radisson Hotel in Corning was awarded a Silver Badge and is only one of three Radisson Hotels to make the list. The award is determined by looking at the opinion of published travel experts and the overall customer satisfaction reviews. More specifically, they looked at awards and recognition, hotel class, and guest ratings. Sue Fowler, president of Local 193 and server in the hotel restaurant says, “This is humbling and overwhelming! We do what we do and always have. It’s an honor to be recognized for our dedication to our customers. We’ve worked hard to build a quality union environment that creates an atmosphere that reflects positively for all!” Business Agent, Erin Young, says, “The members are thrilled to achieve this tremendous award for their hard work. It is not surprising to me, as they truly deserve this recognition! The union and the company have spent many years working collaboratively on a work environment that truly gives back to the members as employees which, in turn, translates to the service that the guests benefit from. So proud of this amazing group of talented and hard-working people!!” Congratulations to all the members of Radisson Corning for their well-deserved recognition!
Rochester Regional Joint Board Hosts Pulitzer Prize Winning Author David Cay Johnston
On Saturday, April 28, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, David Cay Johnston, gave a talk at the Rochester Regional Joint Board Union Building. Johnston covered topics included in his recently published book, “It’s Even Worse Than You Think: What the Trump Administration is Doing to America”. The talk was sponsored by the Education Committee, Rochester Labor Council, AFL-CIO; the Cornell-ILR Extension Labor Program; and the Pettengill Labor Education Fund.
Sidney Hillman Health Center, RRJB, and Members Raise over $8,407
On Saturday, April 14 the Sidney Hillman Health Center, Rochester Regional Joint Board, and our members raised over $3,407 for the American Heart Association Heart Walk and Run, crushing last years total! With our corporate donation, the total raised was over $8,407. Even with the cold, wet, and windy weather, many of our members came out to participate and support the drive. Congrats everyone! Here’s video of some of the day’s activities: