My Brothers and Sisters,
Just a short message on this Monday afternoon as we move into another week of this worldwide crisis. Today, I’d like to start with the news of an amazing milestone.
I’ve spoken before of our brave UAW men and women who are working tirelessly at the Ford Plymouth, Michigan plant producing much needed face shields to protect those on the front lines of this pandemic. In just 13 days, since this effort began, our UAW members have produced 1 million face shields. This vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been shipped to numerous health care facilities in several states, one of the hardest hit being New York.
“We could not be prouder of the UAW members that have volunteered to make such a difference at this critical time in our history. These UAW Ford Members have sacrificed beyond themselves for all of us.”
UAW Local 245 member Robert Nader gets antsy sitting still. Instead of going stir-crazy, he signed up for a job that would keep him busy and hopefully save lives. He is making face shields to help fight the spread of the devastating COVID-19 virus.
“It’s not just me. It’s a lot of different people in here coming together to help,” said Nader. “The medical community really needs these masks and other personal protection equipment right now.”
NDIANAPOLIS) – To date, no states have begun issuing the additional $600 unemployment insurance benefits under the CARES Act, as states await further instructions from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Dear Union Brothers and Sisters:
As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Members on a COVID19-related layoff may be eligible for an additional $600 of unemployment compensation. The $600 is called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation. Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, this payment may reduce the amount of SUB paid to individual Members should the Member receive it. The Company has notified us that they will be offsetting this amount from SUB payments should the state opt-in to the $600 payments.
Members in each state will have different requirements depending on how they typically apply for SUB. AutoSUB locations (Michigan, New York, Arlington, Fairfax) will follow the AutoSUB process. Those Members will not be able to apply via IVR or Web application. Members in other locations will apply as normal via IVR, Web, or paper applications with their state UC Benefit. The Company will then offset the $600.
Certainly, some Members may have issues with this process as we are aware of the State’s difficulties and the Company’s difficulties to properly apply these new laws. Please refer those Members to their Local Union Benefit Representative.
The UAW Staff has been working on this non-stop and we appreciate your support and cooperation during this critical time.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your General Motors Department Benefits Plans Section Representative for assistance. On behalf of the UAW General Motors Department Staff and Clerical, we wish you and your family the best and hope you remain safe as we get through this together.
Continue to file for unemployment just as we instructed. Continue to answer YES for SUB, for those of you who are SUB eligible, unless we tell you different. For those of you who are NOT SUB eligible, continue to answer NO. Continue to file for SUB once your money is deposited. If SUB is replaced by a stimulus package, we will tell you if there is a process change.
As of now, we do NOT have a change in the process. We will keep you updated.
