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Our first USW Live event on our Facebook page went really well. Not as big as Tiger King, but not bad! Thanks to our legislative team for helping our members learn about COVID-19 legislation.
We’re going live again this week to share some big news about our USW Free College Benefit: the free program now includes two- AND four-year degrees for members and SOAR members in good standing – and their families. This includes those who have been laid off or furloughed, plus there are some grants available for members who are suffering financially due to the COVID-19 crisis who enroll in the free college program. Many families are wondering how they’ll send their kids to college or if colleges will even be open in light of the pandemic so free online higher education is a great benefit available exclusively to our members and SOAR members.
Learn all about enrolling, transferring credits to other universities and financial assistance by tuning into our USW Live: Free College – Yes, It’s REALLY Free (If you’re a member!) on Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 7 p.m. EST on our Facebook page.
Please share this with your locals and members!
Plant Update
This “Plant Notice” is written to communicate to ALL employees that the Avery Plant will restart production operations starting the week of April 27th; all plans are subject to change or be modified based on future business conditions.
Line 1 scheduled 3-days per week starting April 27th until further notice; Tues – Thursday
Line 2 scheduled to start-up after down day on Monday, April 27th
Line 2 will remain on the 4 crew / 6-day schedule until further notice
Covid-19 REMINDER; All employees are expected to continue following ALL plant Covid-19 proactive initiatives and below are some key highlights;
ALL employees required to take their temperature prior to arriving at work. Thermometers are available for employee use in the training center, APP and shipping breakroom.
WASH HANDS often throughout the work day
Use bleach/water spray bottles to wipe down your work areas often
Adhere to social distancing requirements; mandatory wearing of face coverings when working/standing within 6’ of another employee. Your direct supervisor will be handing out face coverings and reviewing key information upon your return to work
The Avery attendance policy for all non Covid-19 related absences will be re-instated effective Monday the 27th. Contact HR if you have an absence that is Covid-19 related as these situations will still be subject to the Covid-19 TEMP Absence policy.
Please focus on working SAFE as we work together to restart production operations
USW Rapid Response: Have you seen our latest InfoAlert? Find it by clicking here:
http://images.usw.org/download/rapid/InfoAlert_Covid19_2.pdf
It’s full of great information and helpful links – please share it with your members!
James, In our greatest time of need in these dark days we’re going through, you’re keeping our nations going and doing the work that really matters.As you roll up your sleeves and do the work that can’t be done from home, know how proud of you I am. Click Here for Video We’ve been getting a lot of questions about how to stay safe at work if you’re considered essential and what you qualify for if you’ve lost your job because of COVID-19. We’re working hard to get answers to those questions and more, and want to make sure you know what we’ve gathered so far. Check out the videos, share them with other members in your local who have questions and check our COVID-19 webpage, usw.org/COVID19, for even more resources. Coronavirus Laws and You Our union’s legislative experts explain everything you need to know about COVID-19 related laws affecting you, your family and your jobs. A Webinar for USW Health Care Workers This one-hour webinar will give needed information on how the virus is transmitted, what respiratory protection is needed to protect USW health care workers and the patients who rely on them. Families First Coronavirus Response Act An overview of the recently enacted federal emergency leave that unfortunately failed to cover many thousands of our members. The Family Medical Leave Act in the Time of COVID-19 The USW Membership & Education Department examines how members can make use of the federal Family Medical Leave Act to safeguard their jobs and health benefits should they need to take medical leave for themselves or a family member. Again, for the latest updates make sure you visit usw.org/COVID19 often. On behalf of the entire USW International Executive Board — THANK YOU. Tom |
From the Plant Manager:
Plant Update
This “Plant Notice” is written to communicate to ALL employees that the Avery Plant will Furlough(shutdown) an additional week April 20th, due to continued decline of orders and lack of sales caused by the Covid-19 crisis; all plans are subject to change or be modified based on future business conditions.
Line 1 scheduled to run April 27th week; Tues – Thursday
Line 2 scheduled to start-up after down day on Monday, April 27th
Line 2 will return to the 6–day schedule the week of April 27th
NOTICE; April 13th and 20th week, as a result of the circumstances relating to the Covid-19 crisis, the plant will be FURLOUGHED. ALL employees will be furloughed except for those employees scheduled for plant fire watch and a reduced shipping crew. Employees scheduled to work will be notified by your department managers.
This CertainTeed directed FURLOUGH will continue to impact hourly and salary non-exempt employees;
IF questions, contact your manager or HR.
At this time, production is planned to resume the week of April 27th. If there are changes to this plan, a call blast will be sent out the week of April 20th notifying all employees of the change.
Please be safe and appreciate everyone’s efforts through this very difficult time.
Sunday April 5, 2020
Brother and Sisters
As this COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our everyday lives we are faced with many challenges. The Local Union Committee continues to work on these challenges with the Company on a daily basis. As everyone is aware, there is an Emergency COVID-19 Temporary Absence Policy that speaks directly to any related issues you may have by contacting our local Human Resources Department. We know our work life is difficult as many of our colleagues are either doctor directed or self-quarantined but there has been a rise in the daily call-offs unrelated to COVID-19 and not covered by this temporary absentee policy.
One of our biggest and most current challenge is going to be this upcoming week. Monday April 6th-Thursday April 9th we will try to operate to lower our inventory of raw materials before shutting down for a planned maintenance repair period. We will need the support of everyone by working their schedule. Also, anyone that is willing to fill-in or help in any way please let Andy Colahan or Jon Walsh know as soon as possible.
The information about this pandemic is updated almost hourly. We have had infinite conversations about what our next steps are going to be. In the next couple days there will be more information available about what we plan on doing moving forward.
Thank you all and please continue working safely!
In Solidarity,
Jim Kimberlin, President
USW Local 5-363
| For Immediate Release: March 30, 2020Ohio Emergency Management Agency Will NOT Call You Asking for Personal InformationScammers are Trying to Monopolize on Fear of COVID-19COLUMBUS – The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) is receiving reports of spam calls to Ohioans from individuals claiming to be from the Ohio EMA and requesting personal protected information, such as a Social Security number.“The Ohio Emergency Management Agency is not calling Ohioans and asking for their protected personal information,” said Executive Director Sima Merick. “If you receive such a call, it is a scam. Please hang up the phone.”Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield offer these tips to protect yourself from other scams:· Watch out for emails claiming to be from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or other expert sources offering special advice or information about coronavirus disease 2019. Legitimate information is available for free from the CDC coronavirus.gov or from the Ohio Department of Health at coronavirus.ohio.gov.· Ignore advertisements promoting cures for COVID-19. There currently are no vaccines, prescription medications, or over-the-counter products available to prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19.· Refrain from investing in businesses touting products, services or cures for COVID-19. Scam artists try to use the market downturn and the pandemic to scare investors into so-called “safer, guaranteed investments.”· Research nonprofit organizations and crowdfunding campaigns before donating. A database of registered charities is available on the Ohio Attorney General’s website. Avoid groups that pressure you into donating and never donate via cash, gift cards, wire transfer, or prepaid money card. These are the preferred payment methods of scammers.· Be watchful of anyone going door to door offering coronavirus testing or temperature readings and/or requesting personal information. Call law enforcement immediately if you see a suspicious person. Never let strangers into your home.· Beware of emails and other attempts to “phish” for your personal, financial, and/or medical information. When in doubt, do not share. If the source claims to be your bank or a government agency, confirm they are legitimate by calling the organization at a phone number you have verified.For information on government stimulus checks, visit the Federal Trade Commission website and stay tuned for updates from reliable news sources. The government will not ask you to pay anything to receive this money and will never ask for your Social Security number, bank account number, or credit card number. Never give this information out.· When online, avoid clicking on unknown links or pop-ups and never download any suspicious email attachment. Doing so could infect your devices with malicious software designed to steal your personal information or lock your computer until you pay a ransom.The Department of Commerce asks consumers to ask yourself these questions to help spot red flags:· Has someone contacted you unexpectedly about an investment opportunity or asked for payment on an unfamiliar account? If you weren’t expecting a phone call or didn’t initiate the contact, hang up. If you can put a block on the incoming phone number, do so to avoid additional calls.· Has someone promised you something? If you are offered something that seems too good to be true, it probably is.· Has someone asked you to do something? Were you asked for banking, credit card, or other financial account information? If you didn’t initiate the conversation, don’t provide it.· Is an investment being offered with a guaranteed high return with little or no risk? All investments carry risk. No one can guarantee an investment return.· Is there a sense of urgency or limited availability surrounding an investment? If the offer is legitimate, it will be there later. If someone offers you a “can’t miss” investment opportunity and puts you on the spot, don’t be afraid to walk away.· Is the person offering the investment, and the investment itself, properly licensed or registered? For the same reasons you wouldn’t go to an unlicensed doctor or dentist, you should avoid unregistered investment salespeople and their products.· Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive sales practice should contact the office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost at www.OhioProtects.org or 1-800-282-0515.Price Gouging· Attorney General Yost’s Consumer Protection Section is receiving complaints of price gouging for items such as surgical masks and toilet paper. State law bans unconscionable sales practices, which could include dramatically increasing the price products solely in response to current events. For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic, help is available. Call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 (1-800-846-8517 TTY); connect with a trained counselor through the Ohio Crisis Text Line by texting the keyword “4HOPE” to 741 741; or call the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services help line at 1-877-275-6364 to find resources in your community.# # # |
| For additional information, contact:Jay Carey at (614) 799-3695JDCarey@dps.ohio.gov |
The company has instituted a Temporary Absence Policy effective 3-14 to 3-27. In summary the highlights include:
1. Any COVID 19 related absence (with documentation from a physician) is excused. Additionally, employees may receive up to 40 hours straight time pay.
2. The attendance policy is suspended for employees choosing to stay home and self-quarantine. This time is NOT paid.
One critical thing to note:
1. This policy is not a standing policy. It is only effective through 3/27. In the absence of an extension to the policy, employees are subject to the CertainTeed Avery Attendance Policy effective 3/28.
Thank you – Dawn
In light of the Governor’s Executive Order, which is effective at 11:59 pm on Monday, March 23, 2020 I am working with our Avery Management Team and Corporate to determine our next steps. If a plant shut-down occurs, for the current and future safety of our employees, customers and business operations, this needs to be in a controlled format so everyone is encouraged to report to work at your regularly schedule time, including tonight, until further notice. This is unchartered territory and there are still many unknowns at this point. Your support, along with continuing to practice previously communicated safety measures (hand washing), are greatly appreciated. I will keep you up-to-date on our operating status as each critical decision is made. Again, for now, we are planning to remain open for business until further notice.
-TF
As always, this plan IS subject to change as business conditions change.
This notice is written to communicate the current planning for the upcoming Good Friday holiday and Easter weekend production schedule.
AS ALWAYS, Be Safe and appreciate your efforts.