July 26, 2022
UAW STRIKE ASSISTANCE INFORMATION
1. Strike Assistance shall be based on right, in accordance with the rules and regulations approved by the International Executive Board and UAW Local 1069.
2. Strike Assistance shall be administered by the International Strike Assistance Department, in cooperation with the Local Union Community Services Committee.
ELIGIBILITY
3. Strike Assistance shall be provided, upon application, to all members in good standing who participate in the strike, pursuant to the rules established by the International Union.
4. Members must be in good standing on the day before a strike commences to be entitled to Strike Assistance, provided that all of the other qualifications are met. A member in good standing is one who is not in arrears in dues, as provided in Article 16, Section 21 of the International Constitution.
5. Any member who owes a reinstatement fee or back dues, shall not be considered in good standing and is not eligible for Strike Assistance.
6. Receipt of pensions, survivor benefits, social security, or vacation pay, shall not affect the eligibility of the member who is entitled to Strike Assistance.
DISQUALIFICATION
7. Members will be determined not eligible to receive Strike Assistance under the following conditions:
a. If unemployed prior to the strike;
b. If receiving sick and accident benefits;
c. If receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
d. Effective June 6, 2022, if you earn gross wages of $400 or more per week during the strike.
8. An employee who is locked out by his or her employer, or an employee who is laid off because of an authorized strike by another UAW local at a different location, or in the case of an amalgamed local, a different unit at a different location, is not eligible for Strike Assistance.
STRIKE PENALTY FOR DELINQUENT MEMBERS
9. Any member who is or becomes delinquent in his/her dues and later acquires good standing membership by fully paying the amount in arrears and reinstatement fee at least one (1) year prior to a strike, shall not be penalized for his/her delinquency.
Any member who is delinquent and does not pay the full amount of dues in arrears and reinstatement fee at least (1) year prior to a strike, shall be penalized two (2) weeks’ strike benefits.
PROBATIONARY AND NEW HIRES
10. Probationary and new hires may become eligible for weekly Strike Assistance only if they join the Union by paying the Initiation Fee and current month’s dues before the strike commences. In the event a worker has completed and signed an application for membership and a Union Checkoff Card before the strike commences, he/she would be considered a member in good standing and would be entitled to Strike Assistance.
MUST BE ON ACTIVE PAYROLL
11. Only the members of the local union on strike who were on the active payroll at the time the strike began shall be entitled to Strike Assistance. Members who are sick prior to a strike and are receiving sick and accident benefits, unemployment compensation or workers’ compensation during the strike, are not eligible to receive Strike Assistance.
INTERPRETATION
A. Any member who has been receiving sick and accident benefits or workers’ compensation during the strike will be entitled to Strike Assistance after he/she has been released by his/her doctor to return to work.
B. Any member who is receiving Strike Assistance during a strike and becomes ill to the extent that he/she is unable to return to work when the strike ends, but is not eligible for sick and accident benefits shall continue to receive Strike Assistance until released by his/her doctor to return to work or until the number of weeks he/she would normally receive sick and accident benefits under the terms of the most recent collective bargaining agreement have been exhausted.
PARTICIPATION
12. Members must participate in a strike activity assigned by the local union. Participation in the strike shall include: serving on the Community Services Committee, picket line duty, strike information classes, strike kitchen duty, soliciting committee, lectures of other appropriate activities established by the local union.
REGISTRATION
13. Members must register and apply for Strike Assistance on the day and time scheduled by the local union.
STRIKE ASSISTANCE DISBURSEMENT
14. Due to limitations on facilities and manpower, weekly strike benefit checks will be available only on the day and time scheduled by the Strike Assistance Department in consultation with the local union. Members should be advised that strict compliance is required in order to receive his/her weekly strike benefit check.
TERM OF STRIKE ASSISTANCE
15. A member shall accumulate Strike Assistance credits effective on the eighth day of the strike (For this purpose, Saturdays and Sundays shall be included to establish the eight days). For each day’s pay missed due to the strike, Monday through Friday, a member shall receive one day’s Strike Assistance at the prorated daily amount.
16. Strike Assistance shall be made available to the member beginning on the 15th day of the strike.
17. Any Member who is eligible for Strike Assistance immediately preceding the termination of the strike will be paid one (1) additional week of Strike Assistance.
SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS
18. Weekly Benefits are:
a. If eligible, effective June 6, 2022, all members shall receive $400 per week, regardless of status (i.e., $80 per day for each day on strike, beginning with the eighth day of the strike, Monday through Friday).
BONUSES
19. Any member who is eligible for a strike benefit check during the week prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday will receive a bonus check equal to the regular strike benefits during that week.
Any member who is eligible for strike benefit check during the week prior to the Christmas Holiday will receive a bonus check equal to the regular strike benefits during that week.
INSURANCE BENEFITS
20. Upon approval by the International President and Secretary-Treasurer, the International Union will pay from its Strike Fund: Group Life, Transition Bridge, and Group Medical-Hospital Insurance costs (excluding dental, vision, audio, and sick and accident), for striking members who participate in a strike activity assigned by the local union.
The Strike Assistance Department will determine the method by which these benefits will be provided, depending on the circumstances. The method may include reimbursement for health care premiums reasonably incurred by the striking member. These costs will also be paid for members who are not recalled to work when a strike is recessed or terminated for a period of time following the recess or termination of the strike equal to that period following a layoff which the employer was obligated to continue medical benefits under the most recent collective bargaining agreement. In no event shall these costs be paid for longer than four (4) months following the recess or termination of the strike.
Optional insurance coverage and rider policies will remain the responsibility of the member.
Financial planning can ease the burden of a strike. Notify your credit card companies, bank(s), mortgage company and any other financial obligations you may have and let them know you are on strike. Be sure to keep a record of the name and phone number of the person you spoke to about your situation.
Local 1069 has access to many social service agencies in the area. If you find yourself in dire need, contact the Hall for help.
STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTE WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2022
POLLS OPEN 5:30 AM TO 5 PM
YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!
In Solidarity,
Michael Tolassi, President
UAW Local 1069
