TEAMSTERS LOCAL 399 COVID-19: Important Reminders, Updates and Week In Review
(05.10.2020)
First and foremost I’d like to wish our incredible Local 399 Moms a very Happy Mother’s Day! One day a year is truly not enough to sing your praises and thank you for your strength, love, and sacrifice for your family. We are grateful for Moms everywhere. As the ‘safer at home’ measure continues, we must remain diligent and creative in the ways we safely celebrate our loved ones during this COVID-19 situation. Thank you to all Mothers for who you are and all you do.
As we conclude another week of staying home, I know there is a growing anxiety to get back to work. We completely understand our Members’ concerns. As mentioned before, there are countless meetings taking place between Studios, Companies and Labor all focused on coming up with the best global solutions to get safely back to work. The Guilds, Unions, Studios and Production Companies have a lot at stake here in terms of finding the right solutions so that we can go back to work as soon as possible, while also keeping everyone safe. Discussions are being had on a City, County and State level, as well as with the County Public Health Department and the CEO of the City and County of Los Angeles. This is no small feat, but we are fighting on behalf of our Members every step of the way. We will be meeting with our Local 399 Steering Committees over the course of the next 2 weeks and we hope to have another General Membership Digital Town Hall soon to discuss any and all updates. We know there is a lot of speculation taking place that is concerning Members. I want to be clear that at this time, nothing has been approved or adopted as Industry standard protocols. We understand Members concerns and we will be fighting and advocating for our Members safety and jobs every step of the way. If you have any immediate questions, I encourage you to make your Business Agent your first call.
Below is a recap of this week’s efforts in case you missed anything, as well as a reminder of important ongoing resources and information.
LOCAL 399 EMERGENCY RECOVERY FUND VOTE:
The Local 399 Emergency Recovery Fund was approved by the Executive Board on Thursday, April 23rd. If ratified by a vote of the Membership, the fund will allocate up to $500,000 from the Local 399 Treasury to pay for the Emergency Recovery Fund which will be administered by MPTF.
The Executive Board believes the Local can afford the expenditure to assist our Members in need, and this once in a lifetime occurrence is precisely the right time to support our Members.
- The fund would be reserved exclusively for 399 Members that have found themselves in extreme financial hardship and would be given in the form of a $1,000 grant per family. These grants do not go directly to Members, but rather to those designated vendors (banks for mortgages or car payments, utility company, landlord, healthcare providers or insurers) provided to MPTF.
- The allocation to MPTF will be paid out in $50,000 increments to make sure we only spend based on the actual need. If any money from the last $50,000 allotment remains, then those funds will remain with MPTF to be used for Members or Retirees of Local 399 with future needs.
- The total amount spent will be based on how many Members utilize this fund. If the $500,000 is completely allocated, it will cover 500 Teamster Local 399 families.
For those Members in ‘good-standing’ that are eligible to vote on the Local 399 Emergency Recovery Fund, we will be sending out an Electronic Ballot via text message and/or email tomorrow, Monday, May 11th at 10AM.
Members in “good-standing” will have until Thursday, May 14th at 12PM to cast their ballot to either “Accept or Reject” the expenditure by our Local in the creation of this fund. If the Fund is approved, the application process for Members through MPTF will begin on June 1st.
Before you vote, we have prepared a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section to help further explain the nature of the fund, as well as the eligibility for Members to apply that can be reviewed here, or by clicking on the image below.
In order for the fund to be implemented, it must first be voted on by the Local 399 Membership in ‘good-standing’. Per our Local 399 “By-Laws”, in order to be considered a Member in “good-standing” a Member must be on an active Status and current with their Local 399 Dues through at least the month of April, 2020. Please keep in mind, we are aware that many of our Members are currently on a “Withdrawal” Status. Though you may not be able to vote on the approval or rejection of this fund, being on a “Withdrawal” Status does NOT preclude you from being eligible to apply for the Local 399 Recovery Fund should it be approved.
Please keep in mind, if you are a Member that is currently on a “Withdrawal” status and you’d like to participate in this vote, you will need to pay your dues for the month of May before the voting window in order to receive a ballot.
LOCAL 399 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
If you have a graduating High School Senior, please take a look at our website’s Scholarship page to take advantage of the many great scholarships available to your children. Deadlines are approaching soon, so please encourage your graduating High School Senior to apply soon.
The Local 399 Leo T. Reed Scholarship Fund will be awarding $5,000 to 10 Recipients. The deadline to apply is May 29th, 2020. We are grateful to the Local 399 Membership for approving this Scholarship Program to support the Children of our Members. For those of you with graduating High School Seniors, don’t miss out on this great opportunity for additional financial support.
REGISTER NOW – PERSONAL FINANCIAL FITNESS CLASS ON RETIREMENT:
We are excited to host our first digital Financial Fitness Class on Thursday, May 14th at 10AM. This class will focus on the topic of Retirement. We are almost to capacity as space is limited. If you did not receive the registration link via email, please email office@ht399.org.
EDD QUESTION: EXHAUSTED WEEKS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?:
Our Entertainment Industry Coalition is still working closely with EDD to get general questions answered that many of our Members still have in terms of unemployment benefits. One question we have been working to get answered is regarding Members that had exhausted their UI benefits prior to the pandemic.
The response recently received from EDD is that as they are still creating the programming for the PEUC, the extension program for people who have exhausted regular UI and will require much less qualifications to receive it, they would encourage you to first go ahead and apply for the PUA program. Should they be eligible for the PUA claim, they should be transferred off PUA to the PEUC when they become available because according to the CARES act, PEUC is paid before PUA.
If you have questions about this specific question, please contact your Business Agent Directly.
DONATE: TEAMSTERS LOCAL 952 BLOOD DRIVE:
Teamsters Local 952 will be holding a Blood Drive on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm located at 140 S. Marks Way, Orange, CA 92868.
They are not taking walk-ins and must stick to the online schedule to allow the social distancing guidelines and smoother flow. Donors can go online to register at redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: TeamstersLocal952.
VIRTUAL TOWN HALL WITH CONGRESSMAN ADAM SCHIFF, SAG-AFTRA & IATSE:
SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and IATSE International President Matt Loeb will be engaging in a virtual town hall discussion with California Congressman Adam Schiff, Hollywood’s representative in Congress.
DATE: Tuesday, May 12th
TIME:10:30AM
Click here to Watch
Schiff was one of the Congressional leaders who championed CARES Act relief for freelance and contract workers, who make up a large portion of the Entertainment Industry. At this critical juncture in our nation’s history, SAG-AFTRA and IATSE will join Congressman Schiff at a virtual town hall to discuss the impact of COVID-19, future relief efforts and getting the Entertainment and Industry back to work.
IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL RELIEF:
If you and your family are in need of immediate financial assistance, don’t wait. Call the Motion Television Fund or the Actors Fund Today.
MOTION PICTURE TELEVISION FUND:
MPTF Intake Line: 323-634-3888
Call today. You will be assigned a MPTF case manager to walk through your specific and immediate needs. MPTF has been serving workers in the Motion Picture Industry since 1921. Take time to reach out if you need immediate financial help.
THE ACTORS FUND:
Actors Fund Today: 888.825.0911.
Call today. The Actors Fund, established in 1882, is for all workers in the Entertainment Industry. Take time to reach out if you need immediate financial help or services.
Learn more about the services and programs here: actorsfund.org/am-i-eligible-help
OPTUM & KAISER CRISIS HOTLINES:
Your well-being matters MOST. As this difficult situation continues and no matter how isolated you may feel, you do not need to face these challenges alone. There is hope. Powerful health resources and personalized support services are available right now. Live and Work Well is here to help you and those you care about find the balance, support and care you need to live the healthiest life possible.
- OPTUM CRISIS HOTLINE: 1-800-273-8255
- KAISER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT HOTLINE: (800) 900-3277
- If an emergency, or you think you may harm yourself, please call 911.
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Thank you for your support over the past several weeks. Please let us know if there is anything more we can be doing to support you and your family at this time.
