TEAMSTERS LOCAL 399: Important Reminders, Updates and Week In Review

This has been an encouraging week as we have finally concluded the ‘Return to Work’ discussions between the Studios, the Unions and Guilds! These historic yet challenging discussions took over 4 months to conclude and we are confident the agreement reached provides the necessary framework for working in Television and Features in a COVID-19 world. The safety of all crew and cast Members, and the preservation of the jobs of our Members, was of utmost concern during these negotiations. We encourage every Member to spend some time reviewing the return to work documents provided before you go back to work in TV and Features.

As a reminder, we are here to help. Please make your Business Agent your first call if you have any questions or concerns as you return to work. We will be sharing more updates to help Members unpack some of this information to ensure you are as prepared as possible for a safe and healthy return to work. We are happy to report with each week we are seeing more and more Members returning to work and we expect to see the Industry continue to get busier over the next month.

Lastly, we cannot stress this enough, we are all in this together. If our Industry is to going to remain open, it is OUR collective responsibility to practice social distancing, wear a mask and make sure YOU make smart and safe choices both on and off production. I know navigating some of these adjustment to our lives has not been easy, and will continue to pose issues as you begin to return to work, however we must all work together to keep working.

In case you missed anything, please find a recap of this week’s efforts, as well as a reminder of important ongoing resources and information.

RETURN TO WORK AGREEMENT & DIGITAL TOWN HALL:

I want to thank the over 400 Members that joined us on Thursday evening for our ‘Return to Work’ Digital Town Hall. We will be sharing a recap from the presentation next week and will be continuing to follow-up with Members regarding any outstanding questions.

Please take a moment to review the ‘Return to Work’ Agreement &

399 Summary shared below.

These documents are extremely important to ensure you are aware of the expectations and support you have when you return to work. For any immediate questions, please email businessagent@ht399.org.

COVID-19 DUES:

October 1st is the beginning of the 4th Quarter of the year in regards to Union Dues.

  • For those of you that are on an ACTIVE status that have yet to make a payment for the 3rd Quarter, please make sure you make a payment prior to the last day of the month of September (Wednesday, September 30th) in order to avoid SUSPENSION. Click here to make a payment online.
  • If put yourself on a Withdrawal status earlier this year, you will not need to pay until you put your status back to ACTIVE when returning to work. Please note, even if you work just one day in a month you are responsible for dues.

Lastly, we will be sharing an update this coming week regarding our COVID-19 Dues policy, so please stay tuned.

NO ON PROP 22 | GET THE FACTS:

Uber, Lyft, Instacart and Doordash wrote Proposition 22 to create a special exemption for themselves from California law that requires app-based companies to provide basic protections to their workers. Now, they’re spending more than $181 million on Prop 22, the most money ever spent on a single campaign in US history, to boost their profits by denying their drivers a right to a minimum wage, paid sick leave and safety protections.

  • Uber, Lyft, Instacart and DoorDash paid to put Proposition 22 on the ballot. They hired lawyers to write a misleading initiative and paid political operatives millions to collect the voter signatures they needed.
  • Prop 22 is a carve out in the law that allows Uber and app companies to deny their drivers rights and protections like paid sick leave, workers compensation or unemployment benefits.
  • Prop 22 exempts these multi-billion-dollar gig corporations from contributing to safety net programs we all need, like Social Security, Medicare and Unemployment Insurance
  • Prop 22 makes us all less safe by eliminating safety protections for riders and drivers and any liability these wealthy companies have to consumers.
  • This measure threatens good, middle-class union jobs. If these companies succeed in buying this election, their low-paying, no-protection business models will expand in virtually every industry, leading to unprecedented job loss and a race to the bottom.
  • Prop 22 ONLY applies to Uber and the app companies. It is designed to maximize their profits at the expense of taxpayers and their drivers. This measure creates a competitive advantage for giant corporations that hurts workers and small family-owned businesses.
  • Current state law requires Uber and the app companies to provide their drivers with rights and protections, just like every other California business. The Attorney General recently sued them for breaking this law. You can help stop this power grab that hurts workers and taxpayers.

Prop 22 was written for app companies, by app companies — NOT for workers and their families. VOTE NO ON PROP 22! Visit www.sickofgiggreed.com to learn more.

TEAMSTERS VOTE | WORKERS WIN:

There is a lot on the line this November. We must ensure working people, not the corporate elite, win this election cycle. When working people stand together & fight — we win. We know our Members will come to their own conclusions around what is best for themselves and their families in every election cycle, however for our Union family there are many important fights to protect our democracy, our movement and all workers across all industries throughout our Country.

Below is a link to a list of Candidates that have been endorsed by our Teamsters Joint Council 42 Political Directors, including our own Ed Duffy. These candidates and decisions on local measures and state propositions are selected after extensive interviews have been conducted with potential candidates and coalitions seeking a Teamster and Labor Endorsement. Each Local in our Joint Council selects a representative to attend candidate interviews and together the group asks questions on behalf of their individual Locals, as well as the Labor Movement at-large. Together, they determine who they believe will serve the best interests of working people and working families. We certainly aren’t telling you how to vote, but we are encouraging you to take a look at who is being endorsed by our Joint Council this November. We will be sharing other Labor voting guides as the election approaches.

REGISTER TO VOTE

VIEW JOINT COUNCIL 42 LABOR 2020 ENDORSEMENTS

RALLY FOR HEALTHCARE:

Grocery Teamsters are preparing for a fight. As COVID-19 continues to spread in Southern California and as supermarket distribution centers and warehouses continue to infect our grocery supply chain, Teamster contracts with Albertsons (Vons, Albertsons, Pavilions) and Ralphs/ Food4Less (Kroger) expired on Sunday, Sept. 20.

The big issue on the table for our Teamster siblings is AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE. This week Teamster Members from around Southern California kicked-off their public campaign at Ralphs Supermarket in Burbank demanding better for these hardworking Teamsters, who are keeping our families healthy, safe and fed. We will continue to share actions and ways we can support our Grocery Teamsters that have done so much to serve our communities throughout this devastating pandemic.

LOCAL 399 EMERGENCY RECOVERY FUND:


MPTF has added our Local 399 Emergency Recovery Fund to their website. This fund was approved by the Membership to support Local 399 Members that have found themselves in extreme financial hardship due to the COVID-19 situation. If you are interested in applying, please contact their intake line at: 323-634-3888.

Click here to read ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ Section

A couple notes to mention:

• Due to the high volume of calls, the intake line provides a window of 5-7 days to return your call to begin your case.
• The Motion Picture and Television Fund is a non-profit organization that is working around the clock to support Entertainment Industry Workers in need. We know this is an extremely difficult and challenging time, however, we ask that you treat MPTF case workers with the utmost respect and gratitude for their time and service they give to support those Members devastated by this pandemic.
• To Apply, call the MPTF INTAKE LINE: 323-634-3888

If there are any questions we can answer surrounding the fund, please do not hesitate to reach out.

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.

CONNECT WITH TEAMSTERS LOCAL 399:

Get connected with Teamsters Local 399 on our official social media pages.

You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. An engaged and educated Membership is a strong Membership. Don’t just belong to your Union, be an Active Member.

 

            

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Please let us know if there is anything more we can be doing to support you and your family at this time.