May 28, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Due to the mandates put in place by Governor Wolf and the state of Pennsylvania, we have made the decision to cancel the General Membership Meeting that was to be held on June 7, 2020. The General Membership meetings have been suspended until further notice.
In Solidarity,
Michael Tolassi George Donahue
President Recording Secretary
UAW Local 1069 UAW Local 1069
May 19, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We wish to inform our Brothers and Sisters that Quest Diagnostics is offering and collecting COVID-19 IgG antibody specimens and performing testing nationwide.
“Quest’s IgG antibody test may be especially useful for people without symptoms, including healthcare workers. An IgG positive result may suggest an immune response to a primary infection with SARS-CoV-2. While the role of antibodies in preventing COVID-19 disease has yet to be established, antibody testing for other respiratory illnesses (SARS, flu) provides insight into immunity to future diseases.
Knowing IgG status helps give individuals and their healthcare providers insight for a more informed decision about returning to work and activity.
IgG antibody testing must be ordered by a physician. Patients may make an appointment at a Quest patient service center for this test. For the safety of our patients and employees, antibody serology testing appointments will only be scheduled outside of the established hours for the Peace of Mind program reserved for patients at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.”
We have learned that our Health Plan options, BCBS Advantage+, BCBS Traditional, and HMO will cover this testing at 100% cost (in network). Please contact your health plan provider for all details which includes reimbursement instructions and “cut-off” dates for this testing. This testing will be offered and covered for a limited time.
REMINDER: Please continue to double/triple check all of your “in-process” jobs and your final, completed work. Also, continue to check for Foreign Object Debris (FOD) in and around your work areas, especially on the aircrafts. ALWAYS get an inspector to check all of your completed work. We all want to ensure and continue building the best, highest quality aircraft in the world.
In addition, we continue to express our appreciation to our janitorial crew for a job well done. Thank you for keeping our factory clean and sanitary. Your hard work is definitely recognized.
Lastly, our General Membership Meeting is still “tentatively” scheduled for June 7, 2020. We will continue to follow state guidelines for “large gathering” recommendations. Once mandates are lifted, we will resume our meetings as soon as practicable. We certainly will keep our members informed.
In Solidarity,
Michael Tolassi
President
UAW Local 1069t
May 5, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am certain we all read the news reports and have heard through second hand sources about the “noose-like object” that was discovered in our plant. The object that was found was a wrapped, tied up extension cord that some perceived to resemble a noose. This cord was found in a “utility” room where supplies are stored, in a corner space which is out of visual sight, attached to a shelving post, in a structure adjacent to 3-06, North Side of the facility. This object was reported to managers and immediately turned over to Company investigators. The investigation is still underway and the preliminary findings, from what was reported to the Committeemen in that particular area, was that it does not appear to be “racially motivated.” UAW Local 1069 Leadership is very much disheartened by the comments in the communication that was distributed by Boeing Leadership. We do consider that this is a very serious issue but had hoped the comments made in news reports could in fact have a much different tone and message once this investigation is completed. Your Bargaining Committee, as well as our Brothers and Sisters in our plant do not condone any form of “racial intimidation” and would hope that the Company will look into this matter as a “self-harming” situation as well. Please know we have resources here for our members on behalf of issues relating to depression and anxiety. Brother Pat Hoffmann chairs our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). He provides excellent help and guidance to any employee seeking assistance. He can be reached at: patrick.c.hoffmann@boeing.com. In addition, The Company has an EAP representative, Annemarie Cristino. Her contact information is: annemarie.cristino@beaconhealthoptions.com. Also you can call her at 609-519-5452. We urge any employee with issues relating to mental or substance abuse matters to reach out to one of these folks.
Lastly, we received a communication from the President of our UAW, Rory L. Gamble that reads:
“Pursuant to Article 38, Section 2 of the UAW Constitution, the International Executive Board hereby authorizes any local union, that cannot take necessary steps to hold its local union elections due to a government stay at home restriction or due to an employer’s self imposed workplace restriction related to the COVID-19 pandemic, to postpone its local union elections until the relevant restrictions are lifted. In any event, all elections must be held on a date certain, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the restrictions are lifted, unless otherwise authorized.”
Our General Membership meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 7, 2020. As we move closer to that date, we will make a final determination whether or not we can hold our meeting based on the mandates Gov. Wolf and the State of Pennsylvania has in place at the time. We will keep our membership informed.
In Solidarity,
Michael Tolassi, President
UAW Local 1069
