Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Your Union continues to work on your behalf during these uncertain times.  We will continue to assert all protections we can under your contract, and to use all resources available to assist you. Workers who are recognized as “essential” have options.  Request PPE and take measures to protect yourself by following CDC guidelines for your workplace.

Keep a log to help us help you. Local 71 Event Logs are available on our website. Or any paper, phone, or computer file will do. When you make requests of your coworkers, supervisors, or employers, log it. Log your response. Log what actions you have taken. This information will be valuable in the future to assert your rights.

When there is more information, we’ll update you as fast as we can.  Communication is of course a two-way street. Please let us know about emerging issues you hear about or are dealing with as early as you can, so we can help.

For those who have questions about unemployment resources:

Both Congress and the Alaska State Legislature have passed sweeping COVID-19 relief packages. This legislation substantially expands Unemployment Insurance eligibility, provides federal cash payments to families, expands small business loans and grants, and puts a moratorium on foreclosures, evictions, and utility shutoffs.

Unemployment Insurance

• Expanded eligibility:  Nearly all employees, independent contractors, and self-employed workers are eligible to collect traditional unemployment and an extra $600 per week in “Federal Additional Compensation.”
• Apply at myalaska.gov or the Anchorage UI Claim Center at (907) 269-4700.
• Note that you can collect these benefits proportional to lost work hours—you don’t have to be laid off or furloughed to receive benefits if your hours have been cut.

Federal Cash Relief

• Individuals with less than $75,000 taxable earnings (or $150,000 for couples filing jointly) will receive $1,200 per person payments assuming they either file federal taxes or Social Security. 
• Families with eligible children also receive $500 per child.
• Payments scale down for individual income between $75,000 and $100,000 per year (individuals) and individuals are ineligible above that.

Other Economic Relief

• Emergency legislation passed by the state prohibits foreclosure, eviction, or utility cut-offs related to COVID-19 hardships through June 30. 
• Federal taxes are not due until July 15, 2020.

Congress also enacted emergency paid sick and family leave based on the COVID-19 outbreak, summarized in another Local 71 announcement. 

Handy Links:

• Resources for Alaskans: https://labor.alaska.gov/unemployment/COVID-19.htm
• Federal relief for workers: https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus
• Worker’s rights to paid leave associated with COVID-19 Response efforts: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave
• Frequently Asked Questions about Fair Labor Standards related to this epidemic: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/pandemic
• CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html  
• WHO: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• OSHA: www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/index.html

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call the Hall at (907) 276-7211.

Stay safe, and we’ll be working hard for you here,

In Solidarity,

Jordan Adams

Business Manager Secretary / Treasurer