Eblast March 12, 2020

Eblast March 25, 2020

CORONAVIRUS TRIGGERS NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

At a time when patience is thinner than a potato chip and bad news shows up like an unwelcome guest, the shipyard, the Local 8888 office and the Newport News area got blindsided by a power outage yesterday. Eventually, power was restored, but the disruption added another layer of stress to an already stressful situation.

Now, we can share with you a few important announcements made by the company earlier this week as part of its response to the first two cases of the coronavirus surfacing in the shipyard.

• Expedited Retirement – NNS is offering employees planning to retire in April and May the option to leave NOW and pay out.

•  Kashable and Purchasing Power – These services for NNS employees should be active by April 1st.
• Liberal Leave – The company has extended COVID-19 liberal leave until the end of April, in light of Gov. Northam’s announcement that Virginia’s schools have been cancelled for the rest of the school year. The liberal leave extension applies to ALL NNS employees, including those working offsite, no matter what their location.

Coronavirus Cases Confirmed in the Shipyard

The company has confirmed two cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at NNS. The two employees who tested positive have been quarantined and are recovering. Company officials promptly contacted employees who work near those individuals or who came into close contact with them. Subsequently, a small number of employees have been told to self-quarantine as a precautionary measure and to call the clinic for additional guidance. 

This is only the beginning. As the number of COVID-19 cases grows throughout the state, the company expects to have more positive cases confirmed in the shipyard over the next several months. Officials say the company has been planning for the outbreak in the yard and is deciding how best to provide information on new developments.

But NNS President Jennifer Boykin said, “My commitment to you is that as we learn of new cases, our medical team will directly communicate with our employees who may have been put at risk, and we will assess the need for additional cleaning. Finally, we are going to provide more information as details are finalized about options for those who feel at risk in their current work environment.”

A summary of all current leave time options and alternative work options are on the NNS website. https://nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411/

Eblast March 19, 2020

CORONAVIRUS, SERIOUSLY!

So, here we are – whiplashed by uncertainty and by breaking news about a deadly virus that has brought the nation to a virtual standstill. But you should know that the officers and staff of USW Local 8888 are closely monitoring the situation at NNS on behalf of our 10,000-plus members. Your safety is our number #1 priority during this global health crisis. We also know that you need timely and accurate information as the company tries to adjust its personnel policies in an environment that changes day-by-day, even hour-by-hour. Local 8888 leaders will keep lines of communication open with the company to protect your rights and others you work with.

COVID-19 Q & A:

1. Will the shipyard shutdown? NO.
2. Will the Local 8888 union hall be close? NO (limited hours).
3. Will union members need to be patient, flexible and helpful? YES, YES, YES!

What if an employee reports that they have been exposed, are symptomatic, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19?

• If an employee reports that they have been exposed to COVID-19 or they report to work exhibiting respiratory illness symptoms, (fever over 100.4, a cough, shortness of breath) the employee’s supervisor will notify the COVID-19 phone line at 1-844-243-8749 and discuss options and return to work.

 •  If an employee is passed, instruct them to call the COVID-19 phone line at  1-844-243-8749, (Select Option 2) to receive medical clearance and have their badge re-activated.

What other options are available for USW Employees?

Sickness and Accident – S&A benefits may be available for absences greater than 5 days. Employees should contact Leave of Absence to request benefits (688-3800).  Waiting periods are waived at this time and employees will receive full pay for the first two weeks of illness.

COVID-19 Leave – 40 hours of paid time off to be used if an employee is ill.  Medical documentation OR an Attestment Document will be required.  Consult your Labor Relations Representative or the COVID-19 phone line for COVID-19 Leave requests.

Mandatory Quarantine - Employees notified by the Health Department or their medical doctor that they must Quarantine will be eligible for pay during this period if they provide proper documentation from the Health Department or their medical doctor.  Consult the COVID-19 phone line to discuss requirements.

Teladoc - To encourage employees who aren’t feeling well to...

Eblast March 20, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE: Union Hours of Operation and Activities Modified

In response to federal guidelines to halt the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, Local 8888 has modified the hours of operation at the union hall, beginning Monday, March 23, 2020. In an effort to continue to serve our members in the safest possible manner, Local 8888 officers, staff and reps will mostly work remotely and practice social distancing.

The Local 8888 office schedule through mid-April follows:

President Charles Spivey                                 Mondays and Wednesdays

Grievance Area                                                     Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays

(Call 757-247-5291, ext. 116)

Worker’s Compensation Committee          April 2nd & 16th

Pension & insurance Committee                 April 2nd & 16th

Dental Committee                                            April 2nd & 16th

Civil Rights Committee                                    April 3rd & 17th

*Hours for all committees – 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

For General Information, Call (757) 247-5291 ext.115

MEMBERSHIP MEETING CANCELLED

The nominations and elections of delegates to the 2020 USW International Convention have been postponed and the March membership meeting tomorrow has been cancelled. The Voyager is still scheduled for regular distribution in April.

 Biggest Loser Contest Postponed Until May 11th

 Eblast April 3, 2020

New Liberal Leave Policy and Economic Relief -- With A Union Assist

The company’s updated and extended Liberal Leave policy, which gives more breathing room to HII employees to handle family situations related to the coronavirus or the COVID-19 disease, goes into effect next Monday, April 6th. The leave change will remain in effect until April 30, 2020. The company’s latest somersault on liberal leave comes at the end of a numbing week of bad news that saw Virginia’s COVID-19 cases leap past 2,000, with reported cases in the shipyard mounting day-by-day.

Many union members had become frustrated and fearful of working in the yard without proper social distancing, as Governor Northam was ordering people to stay at home to prevent the virus from spreading. Calls for hazardous pay have been growing, putting pressure on the company to explore more options with our congressional allies, led by Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Rep. Bobby Scott.

The outcome led to the company’s announcement of a liberal leave policy in alignment with the CARES Act. The policy now defines the following situations as eligible for liberal leave: 

• Employees diagnosed, quarantined, recommended for quarantine or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and are seeking a diagnosis
• Employees who are caring for a household member or family member diagnosed with COVID-19
• Employees who serve as the primary caregiver for a child or member of their household who is unable to attend school due to COVID-19
• Employees who were scheduled to begin work but their offer was withdrawn, or they were unable to reach the job due to COVID-19
• Employees who are the breadwinner or major support for their household because their head of household died from COVID-19
• Employees who do not fall into one of the categories above but want to take liberal leave will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A full statement of the updated and expanded liberal leave policy is available at: http://www.hii-homeport.com/docs/2020/ermatinger_cares_act02apr20.pdf.

ECONOMIC RELIEF: The extended leave policy opens the door for HII employees to tap into unemployment benefits contained in the $2 trillion stimulus package passed by Congress last week to help keep families afloat during this health and economic crisis. Employees who fall into one or more of the five (5) categories above, as applicable, may be eligible for unemployment insurance, subject to approval through their state’s unemployment agency.

THE UNION DIFFERENCE: So, is this outcome perfect? No. Do more questions need to be answered? Yes. But we’re better off than waiting for the virus to take a break. Unfortunately, we must navigate this...

The final design work on the new Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center is complete and bidding on construction of the center will begin soon. It will replace the original Olde Hampton Neighborhood Center. The new center named for Ms. Jackson will feature a full-size gymnasium, a kitchen, meeting rooms, open spaces, and parking. A well-attended neighborhood meeting was held and neighborhood stakeholders gave their approval of the building design.

Three years ago during Women’s History Month (March 2017), the members of Local 8888 launched a successful petition drive to have the City of Hampton name a street or public facility for Mary Jackson, the first African American female engineer at Langley Laboratory, who later joined forces with Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughn to help put the first American astronaut into space in 1962.

The late Mary Winston Jackson, who was born and lived in Hampton, broke many barriers during her career as an aerospace engineer. She was one of the three women portrayed as trailblazers (along with Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan) in the 2016 hit movie “Hidden Figures.” She became a role model for other women in the male-dominated space industry, for young girls and college students, especially girls who pursued careers in mathematics, science and engineering.

Local 8888 presented its Trailblazer Award to her family in 2017. Her daughter, Carolyn, is married to Raymond Lewis, a trustee of Local 8888.   

Members and Retirees of Local 5328

Hi all. 

 We are facing some challenging times and I’m sure most of you have heard, it so I won’t sugarcoat anything! 

 We dealt with some serious cut backs today  in oil temper, bundle,  #2 cleaning line and shipping/Rod and bar. Wire draw is running pretty much full out for the time being. 

 Unfortunately I don’t have a schedule as the company would not send it until they contacted those being laid off. 

 For those that do get laid off, my heart goes out to you all!! I know the feeling to well. Under the COVID-19 INFO tab is information from the USW Adjustment Center on EI and what you need to know and if you need assistance. 

 As far as the SUB agreement, Supplementary Unemployment Benefit,  to be eligible, you must be on lay-off and have 18 months of service. You must qualify for EI to receive SUB.  How this works is, you receive 1 credit for each full, 40 hour week of work after your 18 months. For example, if you have 20 months service, you would more than likely acquire 8 credits. The time from 18 months to time of lay-off.  Each credit gets you one week of SUB. SUB is paid at $150.00 per week until the fund is reduced to 35% at which time the payment is reduced to $100.00 per week. Once you have received confirmation you are in receipt of EI, you will forward that to HR and payroll will issue a direct deposit of the amount. 

 I hope to have the schedule some time tomorrow and I’ll send it out as soon as I get it. 

 Let’s stay strong hope and pray this ends soon. 

In solidarity, 

Anthony Ciaramella 
President
USW Local 5328

Uncertainty has been at the center of this strange experience. But Local 8888 President Charles Spivey has been in the company’s ear constantly – raising questions about safety in the yard, complaints about the liberal leave policy and growing economic jitters. He participated in a conference call with Senator Mark Warner and sent him a list of questions from folks in the shipyard to ask company officials whenever they met.

That led to President Spivey urging the company to follow Sen. Warner’s advice to take advantage of an economic lifeline in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that would benefit workers taking liberal leave.

Now, because of the consistent push from Local 8888 members and leaders, shipyard workers who meet the criteria can take liberal leave without taking a hard, financial hit to protect their health or to care for their families. That is the union difference in dollars and “sense.”  

.

The extended leave policy opens the door for HII employees to tap into unemployment benefits contained in the $2 trillion stimulus package passed by Congress last week to help keep families afloat during this health and economic crisis.

Employees who fall into one or more of the five (5) designated categories, as applicable, may be eligible for unemployment insurance, subject to approval through their state’s unemployment agency.

This new, federally-funded program is intended to put an additional $600 in the hands of every eligible worker. If you take liberal leave for coronavirus-related reasons, you should take advantage of this benefit.

So, is this outcome perfect? No. Do more questions need to be answered? Yes. But we’re better off than waiting for the virus to take a break. Unfortunately, we have to navigate this nightmare without a roadmap. However, that reality won’t stop Local 8888 from doing what’s best for the health and well-being of our members.

The company’s updated and extended Liberal Leave policy goes into effect on Monday, April 6th. It gives more breathing room to HII employees to handle family situations related to the coronavirus or the COVID-19 disease.

Many union members had become frustrated and fearful of working in the yard without proper social distancing, as Governor Northam was ordering people to stay at home to prevent the virus from spreading. Calls for hazardous pay have been growing, putting pressure on the company to explore more options with our congressional allies, led by Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Rep. Bobby Scott.

The outcome led to the company’s announcement of a liberal leave policy in alignment with the CARES Act. That policy now defines five (5) situations as eligible for liberal leave: 

• Employees diagnosed, quarantined, recommended for quarantine or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and are seeking a diagnosis
• Employees who are caring for a household member or family member diagnosed with COVID-19
• Employees who serve as the primary caregiver for a child or member of their household who is unable to attend school due to COVID-19
• Employees who were scheduled to begin work but their offer was withdrawn, or they were unable to reach the job due to COVID-19
• Employees who are the breadwinner or major support for their household because their head of household died from COVID-19
• Employees who do not fall into one of the categories above but want to take liberal leave will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A full statement of the updated and expanded liberal leave policy is available at: http://www.hii-homeport.com/docs/2020/ermatinger_cares_act02apr20.pdf.

Due to current circumstances the monthly meeting scheduled for May 14, 2020, has been canceled. The delegate election will be held on May 12, 2020, immediately after the general meeting.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Matt Cantrell at 661-889-5714.

In Solidarity, 

Matt Cantrell