LOCAL 399 WEEK IN REVIEW (11/22/2020)
It’s hard to believe 2020 is coming to a close and the holiday season is upon us! This year has been unlike anything we have ever seen in this Industry and it continues to pose new challenges as we navigate this pandemic together. For a majority of our Members that are back to work, we know the protocols and procedures to operate have created unique obstacles. For those that we are still fighting to return to work, we will continue to do our best to support you during this time. Either way, whether you are back at work or still waiting to return, we cannot stress this enough, make us your first call. If you are experiencing issues at work, have questions about your contract, the safety protocols or need assistance during this difficult time, please contact your Business Agent. We continue to work for you and we are here to support you.
This holiday season will be different. It needs to be. We must be diligent in protecting ourselves, our loved ones and those we work alongside every step of the way. After a long and difficult year, I know it is tempting to let our guard down and spend the holidays acting as if everything is back to normal. The reality is, COVID-19 cases are rising and the threat of this virus is still very real. For the safety of all our members, our community and the ability to keep our Industry open, we must make the necessary sacrifices this holiday season to protect our Industry and the ones we love. I urge you to continue to follow the County and State guidelines and stay masked, socially distanced and avoid unnecessary gatherings during the holidays that could potentially expose you to COVID-19. We will get through this but we must remain committed to safety first.
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.
UNION HALL THANKSGIVING HOURS:
In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Local 399 Union Hall Front Office hours next week are as follows:
Monday, November 23th: 9AM – 5PM
Tuesday, November 24th: 9AM – 5PM
Wednesday, November 25th: 9AM – 12PM
Thursday, November 26th: Closed
Friday, November 27th: Closed
Business Agent On-Call Phone Number: 818-397-2131
Call Board Hours will be shared early next week.
Even though our Thanksgiving celebrations will look different this year, we encourage you to buy Union goods to support hardworking Union families this holiday season. See a list of Union-made Thanksgiving fix in’s here: aflcio.org/thanksgiving
NEW LOCAL 399 STAFF MEMBERS:
Please join us in welcoming two new staff Members to our Local 399 Team. Brenda Santacruz and Stephanie Gascon have joined our Front Office team as Local 399 Member Specialists.
We are grateful to have Brenda back on our staff and Stephanie join our team. We believe they will both be an incredible asset to our Members.
If you stop by the Union Hall over the next couple weeks, be sure to say hello and introduce yourself. We work for you and we are proud of the team we have working around the clock to support you and your family.
DEADLINE: ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY WORKERS EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA’S NEW STAY AT HOME ORDER
With the recent announcement by Governor Gavin Newsom around new tightened restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, many members have asked how this will impact our Industry. At this time, our Industry is still able to continue to operate under the COVID-19 protocols and procedures we bargained alongside our Sister Unions and Guilds and the Studios. We are grateful for the ability to work together to ensure protocols that keep safety as the number one priority in the workplace for all crew and cast members in order to keep Hollywood rolling.
That said, we want to remind all Members that safety is everyone’s responsibility, both in and out of the workplace. We must be diligent in protecting ourselves and our loved ones as we see COVID-19 cases rising. We’ll do our best to keep our Members as informed as possible of any changes and updates over the next several weeks.
Stay masked. Stay socially distanced. Avoid holiday gatherings or travel that could lead to exposure to yourself or others. We must continue to work together for the safety of all, and to continue working.
Click here to read Deadline article.
AMPTP & AICP UPDATE:
AMPTP: We have been meeting regularly with our Sister Union and Guilds and the Studios to continue to discuss and refine our ‘Return to Work’ Protocols. As the COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving, we too must continue to look at the protocols put in place to ensure they are working to protect all crew and cast members. As this situation continues, we will continue to meet regularly to discuss issues, new ideas and better practices. At this time we are also continuing our discussions around what the Christmas holiday schedule will look like for productions.
AICP: We are still in discussions with the AICP around standardized safety protocols and procedures. The requirement of testing remains a key issue for the Commercial companies as the Unions and Guilds continue to take the position that this is an essential aspect of ensuring the safety of all. If you are working on a Commercial production that you feel is unsafe or have any questions, please contact Business Agent Calvin McDowell immediately: cmcdowell@ht399.org.
CSATF COVID-19 CLASS:
C-19 PREVENTION TRAINING DEADLINE IS APPROACHING:
Don’t forget to take the new online C-19 COURSE via CSATF prior to NOVEMBER 27th to avoid any disruption to your availability or roster advancement. There are still about 2,000 Members on the Industry Experience Roster, the CSATF Online List, and in Locations and Casting that have yet to take this course. If you are unsure if you have taken it, follow the steps below to complete.
• Head to www.CSATF.org
• Select PORTAL Sign-In
• Log In
• Choose Your Class
• Enroll & CompleteFor your convenience, this online class is optimized for delivery on mobile devices or smartphones as well as on desktop computers. Should you have any questions, please email training@csatf.org.
Don’t put this off! Companies are checking and will not hire anyone without this certification. If you haven’t completed this course, make a plan to complete it prior to November 27th.
MPI FALL 2020 UPDATE:
MPI recently shared their latest Fall 2020 Update with a comprehensive overview of all actions that have been taken by MPI to date in order to help protect and assist participants.
Topics Include:
- No Cost Cobra
- IAP Hardship Withdrawal Deadline November 30th
- Telemedicine
- Optum Mental Health Services
- MPI Hours of Operation
- and more.
Click here to read the full update.
LOCAL 399 EMERGENCY RECOVERY FUND:
As announced during our 4th Quarter General Membership meeting, effective December 1st, Local 399 will be ending the Local 399 Emergency Recovery Fund that has been accessible to our Members in need. We have seen hundreds of 399 families benefit from this fund over the course of the COVID-19 shutdown. I want to again thank the Membership for voting to pass this measure to support our Members struggling to get by during the COVID-19 shutdown. This is what a Union family is all about.
Click here to learn more.
EXTENSION OF 365-DAY PERIOD ACCUMULATING WORKDAYS FOR PLACEMENT ON THE ROSTER
The near total shutdown of production in the industry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has severely diminished the opportunity for prospective applicants to accumulate the 30 workdays necessary for placement on the Roster. In recognition of this circumstance, the parties to the “Black Book” have agreed that the period from March 15th, 2020 to and including September 30,2020 (200 days) (the relief period) shall not be counted toward the “consecutive 365-period” in which all individual must accumulate the thirty (30) actual workdays required for placement on the Industry Experience Roster under paragraph 62(b).
See scenarios illustrating the effect of establishing the relief period here.
Thank you to Business Agent Chris Sell for making this a priority in order to help support those working hard to join our Union family. If you have any questions, please email Business Agent Chris Sell: csell@ht399.org.
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.
