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COVID-19 resources, frontline workers & UI help

Andy O’Brien
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IN THIS EDITION:

  • Expanded Unemployment Benefits Coming for Workers & Self Employed
  • Having Trouble Filing for Unemployment? We can help!
  • Tell Employers & Our Elected Leaders to Protect Frontline Workers
  • USW & IATSE Members Working to Convert American Roots Factory to Produce PPE
  • Please Tell Governor Mills to Halt Foreclosures & Evictions

Expanded Unemployment Benefits Coming for Workers & Self Employed

Last Friday, Congress passed a $2 trillion federal stimulus package that will increase benefits and expand eligibility and available weeks for unemployment benefits. The new law will also provide benefits for contract workers and those who are self-employed like lobstermen, loggers and others. Below is a summary of the programs that are currently available and will soon be available here in Maine. 

"These new programs are complex, and we are working to implement them as quickly as possible,” wrote the Maine Department of Labor in a press release. “Those who have exhausted all available benefits already or are self-employed should wait to file a claim for benefits. Since these programs have not been implemented yet, filing at this point will only result in a denial."

We will update you as soon as these new benefits are available. Once implemented, benefits will be paid retroactively. If you have already enrolled in the current program, you should continue filing your weekly certifications. For more information on unemployment visit the Maine DOL website.  For information on other supports and programs in this crisis see this great resource from Maine Equal Justice. 

Having Trouble Filing for Unemployment? We can help!

Filing for unemployment benefits can be very confusing and stressful. Unfortunately, due to the extremely high volume of unemployment filings, Maine Department of Labor staff do not have the capacity to immediately respond to all calls and emails. That's why the Maine AFL-CIO has set up a new online portal where both union and non-union workers can ask our team of experts questions about unemployment and how to file. If you or someone you know needs help, fill out this form and we will answer the questions as soon as we can.

Tell Employers & Our Elected Leaders to Protect Frontline Workers!

Across Maine, frontline emergency workers like nurses, healthcare workers and first responders as well as grocery, delivery, construction, warehouse, factory, home care, transportation, sanitation workers and many others are lacking the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves from contracting the potentially deadly COVID-19 virus. This is a life and death issue of worker safety.

Please click here to send an email to Maine's Congressional Delegation and Governor Janet Mills asking them to pressure the federal government, hospitals and all employers of frontline workers to take all steps necessary to provide a minimum standard of personal protective equipment for workers during this crisis. And please sign this petition calling on the Maine Hospital Association to do whatever necessary to ensure its member hospitals are providing sufficient and appropriate PPE to its workers.

USW & IATSE Members Work to Convert American Roots Factory to Produce PPEs

[caption caption="Members of IATSE 114 help get the American Roots factory ready to produce PPEs" align="center"][/caption]


Last week, the American Roots apparel company made the very difficult decision to temporarily lay off 80 percent of its workforce in order to sanitize the factory and convert it to produce desperately needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers and first responders during the COVID-19 crisis. American Roots workers are members of USW Local 366. Over the weekend members of IATSE Local 114, who have suffered massive layoffs due to cancellations in the entertainment industry, volunteered on a day’s notice to get the factory safe and ready to go.

“There are simply no words to the express the level of gratefulness we have for this group of Union brothers and sisters,” American Roots wrote on its Facebook page. 

Please Tell Gov. Mills to Halt Foreclosures & Evictions

Access to housing is vital to contain the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that Mainers remain healthy and safe during this public health crisis. Despite the obvious need for Mainers to shelter in place during this time, many are still facing the threat of eviction or foreclosure during this pandemic. No one should fear losing their housing — especially during this national emergency.

That’s why we're circulating a petition to Gov. Janet Mills urging her to take executive action to place a moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures, with rent forgiveness, until this public health emergency is over. Please sign on to this petition to let Gov. Mills know that Mainers need safe, accessible housing during this public health crisis.