IN THIS EDITION:
- Save the Postal Service!
- Union Members Call on President to Protect Frontline Workers
- B&M Workers Successfully Bargain for Hazard Pay
- Governor Mills Pushes Primary Ahead July 14th
Save the Postal Service!
COVID-19 is causing a devastating financial impact on the United State Postal Service and its ability to operate and serve the American people. Postal workers, letter carriers and mail handlers are essential workers who proudly step up everyday and serve the country by processing and delivering the mail, lifesaving medical supplies and prescriptions, absentee ballots and much more. The Postal Service is a cornerstone of our democracy.
We are asking for everyone’s help to ensure that this pandemic does not destroy our public U.S. Postal Service. Postal unions are calling on Congress to support the postal service in the next COVID-19 response bill with crisis response funding, hazard pay and more. Please take action – go to http://www.apwu.organd fill out the “pop-up” action form.
Union Members Call on President to Protect Frontline Workers
[caption caption="Members of IAFF, MSNA & USW on a Zoom conference call with reporters last week." align="center"]
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Frontline workers like nurses and first responders in Maine are facing a crisis shortage of protective equipment. Members of Maine State Nurses Association, Professional Firefighters of Maine and the United Steelworkers held an online press conference last Wednesday to demand the President and federal government provide personal protective equipment (PPE). They called on the President to utilize the Defense Production Act to ramp up the production and distribution of PPE to keep frontline workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The act allows the President to compel businesses to accept and prioritize contracts for materials deemed necessary for national security. So far, the President has used the act very sparingly, despite massive shortages of emergency supplies.
Frontline workers also called on the President to direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to implement temporary emergency workplace standards to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
Saco firefighter/paramedic Sarai Briggs (IAFF 2300) told reporters that she and her fellow paramedics often come onto scenes where they don’t if a patient has the virus.“We’re walking into unknown scenarios, where parties are unconscious,” Briggs said. “We’re being asked not to wear protective gear unless there is a cough, or a fever or a cold” in order to conserve PPE.
B&M Workers Successfully Bargain for Hazard Pay
[caption caption="BCTGM Local 334 member Spomenka Krsmanovic." align="center"]
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Workers at the B&M Baked Beans plant in Portland have successfully bargained for hazard pay as they produce beans and foods important for people in this crisis. Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM) Local 334 will now be receiving a temporary $2 increase in their wages.
Jordan says workers and the company have taken a number of important safety measures, such as allowing workers to stay home with pay if they have been exposed to the virus, providing workers with protective masks, establishing outdoor stations for delivery drivers and breaking up morning safety meetings into smaller groups to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Recently, business has been booming due to a recent spike in demand for canned goods. In addition to the iconic B&M Baked Beans, the plant also produces Underwood meat spreads like Deviled Ham. For a rare glimpse of the inside of B&M factory, check out this great interview with BCTGM member Thomas Coreau from 2017.
Primary Election pushed to July 14th; Maine AFL-CIO pushes to strengthen democracy and voting rights
With no end in sight yet for the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Janet Mills has issued an executive order moving this year’s primary election from June 9 to July 14 in order to maintain social distancing guidelines.
The Maine AFL-CIO is working with others to strengthen democracy and ensure that everyone has an easy path to voting - in this COVID-19 crisis and always. We are asking the State of Maine to mail absentee ballots with pre-paid return postage to every registered voter in Maine, to join 39 other states allowing online voter registration and to maintain safe in person voting and same day registration options this year. As the Portland Press Herald points out, we need to strengthen voting rights and ensure everyone is able to vote safely this year.
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