It’s been another long week where at times it can feel like there are more questions than answers surrounding the COVID-19 virus. I want to assure you that the Local 399 Staff is here for you around the clock, working to diligently address each and every concern put forth by the Membership.
I again want to thank those that have reached out via phone, email, on our social media channels or through our recently developed surveys. We appreciate all the issues being raised and will continue to address and provide our Membership with all possible resources and information during this uncertain time. Again, we know that one of the most challenging concerns facing our Members today is the loss of work and qualifying for benefits. We understand that the stress of this situation is causing growing economic pain and hardship for many of our hard working Members. I want to continue to encourage and remind your that the Administration, the Local 399 Staff, our Shop Stewards, Rank-and-File Members, and our entire Entertainment Industry comprised of hardworking Union Members — are all in this together. If we stand and fight together, we will not only win, but my hope is that we will stand stronger and more united after we return to the work we love.
Below is a summary of the important information shared this week. We will be providing these weekly summaries by email and will be setting up a digital Townhall to address many of our Members important questions. We will be sending out a short questionnaire next week to identify topics our Members would like to see addressed further.
MEMBERS UNDER MPIPHP – MPI UPDATE:
Late Wednesday evening, the MPIPHP Board of Directors completed a vote in favor to adopt some emergency crisis provisions to help address the concerns of the MPI Participants. Some of these provisions can be found in the graphic below. Click here or on the graphic below for a full update from MPI.
We will be putting together a FAQs regarding your MPI Benefits to share next week in hopes of addressing the common questions we have been receiving regarding your Pension & Health Benefits under MPI.
DUES FAQ:
To help address some common questions regarding our Local 399 Emergency Adopted Dues policy, we compiled a list of FAQs. Please take a moment to review prior to reaching out to the Front Office. Many of the answers to your questions can be found right here.
LOCAL 399 SURVEYS:
We have launched two surveys as a way to help identify our Members most in need, as well as those that are in a place to lend support and services to other Members, the city of Los Angeles and charitable organizations. We have already received some great feedback from the Membership and we will be following up with those that left specific questions by next week. We are in this together and I want to remind all Members their is NO shame in asking for help. Your responses to our surveys help guide the actions of our Local.
We want to encourage Members to continue to reach out and provide feedback.
I want to take a moment to thank Zio Studio Services for donating restrooms, a truck and fuel for the Los Angeles Federation of Labor Food Distribution event yesterday in Commerce. My special thanks go to Business Agent Joshua Staheli and Sister Jenniffer Shaw for donating their time to serve at this important event supporting Union Members. If you are giving back to your community, post a photo on your social media channel and tag our Teamsters Local 399 Pages or email to amy@ht399.org so we can highlight your important contributions!
CONGRESS PASSES ‘CARES’ ACT:
Yesterday, Congress officially passed a third package of emergency relief legislation, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security “CARES” Act. This bill will offer some immediate relief for our Members and all Entertainment Workers across the Nation. Click here or on the image below to learn more about this economic stimulus package to see how it might benefit you and your family.
Need assistance filing for Unemployment?
UNION SOLIDARITY:
The Entertainment Union Leaders will be holding weekly calls in order to determine how we can collectively work to support all of our Memberships across the Industry. We will be speaking to the Studios and Companies to identify practical health and safety measures that we expect them to adopt in order to protect our Members when we’re ready to go back to work. We expect more information from all of the companies and will be working with them to identify what going back to work looks like for our Members. Stay tuned for more updates on this.
GET HELP.
For our Members in need of immediate assistance, I want to remind you of some of the great resources available both financially and emotionally.
Many Members have reached out saying they have had success getting some financial relief by reaching out directly to their lenders. We encourage all Members to make this a first step in alleviating any amount of financial relief. See our Universal ‘Out of Work Letter’ that we have developed to help assist Members that might need documentation.
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.
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.
In closing, I want to urge you this weekend to continue to listen to our Local and State leaders by staying “Safer at Home” and to continue to practice extreme social distancing measures. Your decision to protect yourself and your family not only keeps you safe, but the entirety of your community as well. There are many heroes working around the clock to save the lives of the ones we love. We must adhere to the restrictions put in place to “flatten the curve” and ensure the least amount of people are infected and impacted by this devastating virus.
Please continue to stay connected to all of our official Local 399 Channels of Communication for further details as they become available. I want to thank you all for your support this past week. We are ready and prepared to continue to fight for our Members as the weeks continue. Please feel free to reach out with your questions and suggestions.
