Mar 27

Many Companies Are Offering Free Services And/Or Waiving Fees Due to the quarantine – here’s a list – please share widely!

Phone and Internet:

  • Free Access to Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi Internet Free For 60 Days for households with students

  • Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

  • T-Mobile & Metro Active Customers: All current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming). here is more details

  • T-Mobile is offering all current customers unlimited data and waiving late fees for next 30-60 days

  • Mint Mobile: New and existing customers can get Unlimited 4G LTE Data for free. Click here for more details

  • AT&T: AT&T is suspending broadband data caps for home internet customers. You can read more here. They’re also waiving late fees for next 30-60 days. They’ll also provide free access to its public WiFi hot spots.

  • Sprint is offering unlimited data for all users and waiving late fees for next 30-60 days

  • Verizon: Verizon will waive late fees and keep residential and small business customers connected if negatively impacted by global crisis. More here

  • Comcast/Xfinity: Comcast opens Xfinity WiFi Network Nationally for Free and Offers Unlimited Data for Free. Click here for more details

  • Enterprise will waive underage fees for college students age 18-24. here is more details

Major Domestic Airlines:

  • Southwest: They always offer free flight changes so nothing changes for them. Any difference in fare will apply.

  • JetBlue: JetBlue has suspended change and cancel fees for all new flight bookings made between March 6, 2020 and March 31, 2020 for travel through September 8, 2020. The change/cancel fees suspension still applies for bookings made between February 27, 2020 and March 5, 2020 for travel through June 1, 2020.

  • Delta: No Change Fees For All Tickets Purchased Between March 1 to 31, 2020. Ticket Can Be Changed One-Time To An Alternate Itinerary. Must Be Re-issued On/Before: February 28, 2021. Any difference in fare will apply.

  • American Airlines: American Airlines will waive the change fee only on published Non-Refundable Fare tickets. Tickets must be purchased between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2020, with original travel between March 1, 2020 and January 30, 2021. Changes must be made prior to the departure of your original flight. Any difference in fare will apply.

  • United: When you book a flight between March 3 and March 31, 2020, you can change it for free over the next 12 months. Any difference in fare will apply.

Fitness:

  • Planet Fitness is offering Free in-home workouts for everyone. Workouts will be led by trainers and surprise celebrity guests. If you miss the live class, you can come back and watch it later.

  • Peleton is offering an extended 90-day free trial to its at-home workouts application during the quarantine. The in-app workouts don’t require you own any Peloton equipment, and include yoga, HIIT, stretching, and other categories. Download the Peleton app for free in the App Store or Play Store.

Credit Cards/Finance:

  • Apple Card holders will be allowed to skip their March payment without incurring interest by signing up for a Customer Assistance Program, Apple is informing its customers. To join the Customer Assistance Program, Apple Card customers can call an Apple support rep directly through the Apple Wallet app and ask to be added. Click here for more details

  • · American Express will waive 2 months of payments without charging penalties or interest. However, if you use this benefit, you won’t be able to use that credit card or points until you opt out. Click here for more info or to sign up for their hardship program

  • · Chase, and other banks will offer 60 days of no late fees or interest for those impacted by the quarantine, call your bank to find out if you are eligible and what terms will apply.

  • · Some leasing companies are offering to push off payments for 1 to 3 months. In return, they’ll extend your lease by that amount of time and have you pay regular payments then, essentially giving you an extra 1 to 3 months for free. Your max miles for the lease though will remain the same. Contact your auto see what they’re offering.

  • · Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac owners get free On-Star and free in vehicle internet

  • · Many states (New York included) and mortgage companies are offering 1 to 6 months of no mortgage payment requirements. Contact your mortgage provider to see what they’re offering and if you qualify.

Food / Misc:

  • Uber Eats will waive delivery fees on all orders amid the quarantine. Service charges will still apply though. More info here

  • Starbucks will give a free tall hot or iced brewed coffee to anyone that identifies themselves as a front line responder from today through May 3rd

  • Crocs will be giving out 10,000 pairs of their shoes for FREE starting 3/26 12pm EST to healthcare workers. here is more info

  • · Airbnb is offering free cancellations on most reservations

  • · CVS and Walgreens: Both CVS and Walgreens will waive charges for home delivery of prescription medicines

  • · Zoom Video is offering free video conferences for schools.

News Publications that are removing their paywalls:

Master List of Educational and Fun Resources

Mar 25

Labor Secretary Issues Directive to Streamline the Processing of Unemployment Insurance (UI) Payments

Sacramento, CA—California Labor Secretary Julie A. Su sent a memorandum to Employment Development Department Director Sharon Hilliard authorizing the department to take additional steps to streamline the approval process for an unprecedented surge in unemployment insurance (UI) benefit claims and issue payments as quickly as possible. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of workers across California,” wrote Su. “UI provides a critical source of security to workers in times like this and an important boost to the economy.”

Su’s directive will allow the EDD to streamline the benefit claims process and exercise flexibility when assessing the unique and unprecedented situation that workers are facing. Under Su’s directive, the EDD may award benefits to a claimant before making a final determination regarding whether the claimant is able and available to work. As federal law requires, a worker’s ability and availability to work will remain a factor in the EDD’s eligibility determination. However, the flexibility Su’s directive provides will enable the EDD to put money in the hands of unemployed workers more quickly.

The EDD is also employing several other strategies to help keep up with the demand including staff working overtime seven days a week, redirecting hundreds of staff with unemployment processing experience (including recent retirees), and hiring as much additional staff as possible.

This directive meets the intent of legislation (H.R. 6201) recently passed by the federal government encouraging states to take steps to exercise flexibility, ease eligibility requirements and ensure access to UI benefits for workers impacted by this national crisis. Impacted workers should visit the labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019 for more information about benefits and how to apply.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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This release is available online at: https://www.labor.ca.gov/2020/03/24/labor-secretary-issues-directive-to-streamline-the-processing-of-unemployment-insurance/

Mar 24

Update from our Executive Director, Jon Riley, about the COVID-19 virus!

Siblings, as we all adjust to these extraordinary times it is important to ensure that factual information is available to everyone impacted, which is every one of us. We receive numerous calls every day with questions surrounding the ever changing protocols to stave off the COVID -19 virus, and what they actually mean. With every State, County and City issuing different orders it is frustrating to hear that people living across the Street from each other, but in different cities or Counties have different protocols and information given to them.

I received a call yesterday from Assembly Member Tim Graysons field representative Jana Modena asking what the Napa Solano CLC needs from the Assembly Member and we talked about the need to have a single source to gather trusted, factual information to turn to. She sent me and other Community Leaders this email from the State which consolidates the various directives and protocols for the public to go to for consistent information. The sections covering myths and facts and rumor control is particularly helpful as well as the timeline format that illustrates how the crisis has grown and the need for social distancing made a lot clearer. 
We don’t know how long this will last or what the impacts will be but adhering to the  protocols is critical to a positive outcome. Take a look at the information provided by Assemblymember Graysons staff and look for further updates as we move forward.

Be Safe. And Wash Your Hands – Jon Riley

Be sure to check these COVID-19 guidelines from the California Department of Public Health

COVID-19 key messages from the California Department of Public Health

Why is social distancing so important to curb the spread and keep our loved ones from being infected? This graphic  from Firefighters #1186 says it all!

Mar 20

Letter from our Executive Director, Jon Riley

Sibs, we had our first Napa Solano CLC  Zoom Delegates meeting Wednesday Evening and had a decent turnout considering it was our first attempt at what will soon become the “new normal” as we deal with the extraordinary impacts of the COVID -19. The Governor issued stay at home orders Statewide to attempt to isolate the virus and we will attempt to keep you all up to date on the ever changing news by forwarding information from the Labor Federation, AFL-CIO and other credible sources to allow you to gather as much information as you can as it comes in. 
We will also be keeping you all up to date on the critical work being done around the census 2020. This is very important to ensure we protect our voice in governance.
At our Delegates meeting it was decided that we will postpone our 10th Annual Spring Salute Awards Reception until late May or early June. The awards have been ordered and we appreciate the Sponsorship’s and ticket sales so far. We will hold this event to honor those Siblings that have gone above and beyond for working families! If our new dates presents a conflict with those that have already bought tickets we will gladly return you donation.
Our Siblings across the bridge forwarded this helpful information on where to go to get questions answered and I have added the articles from Solano and Napa Counties addressing their shelter in place mandates.  

Jon,At last night delegates meeting, our legal counsel Bill Sokol presented on all the resources available to workers when their jobs/pay have been affected during during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Labor Council has placed these resources on our website at https://www.cclabor.net/covid19. This resource identifies the many sources of relief available to workers during this time, as well as, explaining the qualifications, timelines, and how to file for assistance. EXPLORE THE SOURCES OF WORKER RELIEF BY CLICKING HERE.  Here is a list of resources that will be beneficial to workers affected by COVID-19:
California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Resources  AFL-CIO’s COVID-19 ResourcesCalifornia Labor Federation’s COVID-19 ResourcesContra Costa Labor Council COVID-19 ResourcesPlease keep an eye on these sources. Each resource will be updated as the situation changes.
Central Labor Council of Contra Costa County, AFL-CIO 1333 Pine Street, Suite E Martinez, CAwww.cclabor.net

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx                       Other information you may find helpful moving forward:


                 Links to the resources Peggy referenced are as follows:·  Landscape: State & Local Policy Actions in Response to COVID-19·  Summary: Changes to State Legislative Sessions & Capitol Rules·  Dedicated resource folder on COVID-19 materials in the State & Local Leg book (googledrive for SF/CLCs)·  State & Local Policy Recommendations



Outline of Workers’ Bill of Rights During COVID-19 Crisis

1)      Putting Safety First – Protecting Union Members and All Workers on the Front Lines of this CrisisFrom first responders to grocery clerks to health care workers to gig drivers to public servants, working people are risking their health to provide the basic necessities we all need to get through this crisis. Workers need proper safety equipment, free COVID-19 testing, affordable, accessible health care and treatment. 

2)      Government relief directly to workersAny economic stimulus must provide relief directly to working people. While government checks to workers help, we need much more. Wage replacement, unemployment insurance, expanded safety net programs, job protections and health care, among other remedies, must be directly extended to workers, and workers who are unbanked must be able to access government aid without being charged steep interest rates by unscrupulous companies. 

3)      Holding corporations accountableNo-strings-attached bailouts to big corporations are unacceptable. No bailouts should be given to big corporations – many of which used massive tax breaks to enrich shareholders instead of increasing worker wages – that exploit or cheat workers and/or don’t pay their fair share of taxes.

4)      Standing up for Gig Workers and Other Vulnerable Workers Hundreds of thousands of gig workers are living on the edge, working through the crisis, because they’ve been deemed “essential.” Yet these workers have virtually no protections. No paid sick days. No job protection. No minimum wage. No health care. Gig companies must immediately follow the law by making these workers employees so that they are eligible for all the basic protections they deserve under the law. These companies must also immediately stop shirking their responsibility to all workers and begin paying into the social safety net, including unemployment insurance, Social Security and Medicare. All companies must immediately comply with the law under AB 5 to provide basic protections to misclassified workers on the job without a safety net. 

5)      Expand Paid Sick Leave for All WorkersWhile California is one of just 11 states with a paid sick leave law, many workers are still being left behind. In addition to following temporary federal guidelines for emergency paid leave of 14 days for some employees, California should expand paid sick leave to include ALL workers at least a guaranteed seven days for all employees – permanently — and provide paid leave to all misclassified workers, including gig workers, under AB 5. 

6)      Protect Immigrant Workers – Stop ICE RaidsWe demand an immediate moratorium on ICE raids, deportations and other attacks against our immigrant communities. Immigrants who are sheltering-in-place or going to work to provide the services we all need shouldn’t be living in fear of ICE. 

7)      Moratorium and Evictions, Foreclosures and Rent GougingState and Federal leaders must immediately place a moratorium on evictions and price gouging of renters, and bank foreclosures of homes. In a time of public health and economic crises, it’s immoral to take away the most basic of necessities – shelter – from families. Further, we demand more support for the already unsheltered including safe, secure temporary housing. 

8)      Protect and Expand the Right to Form and Join UnionNow more than ever, working people need the ability to stand together and speak in a collective voice to ensure they are treated fairly as this crisis evolves. A union on the job gives workers the ability to negotiate with bosses to make sure that they get a fair shake as companies react to the crisis. It’s absolutely critical that more workers have the right to join unions to provide a counterbalance to an economy that was already rigged to the benefit of the wealthy and powerful, well before this crisis.  

Mar 15

Update from our Executive Director, Jon Riley!

Siblings, we want to thank everyone who took the time to respond to our poll on whether to hold our Delegates meeting this Wednesday evening. We received overwhelming responses from our delegates with a vast majority who were willing to hold the meeting as planned. However, everyone agreed that we need to err on the side of caution moving forward. 

We have been on several calls this week with State and Federal Leaders including the Governor’s office, who are working hard to address the widespread impacts to all segments of our society, including our members health and safety, working conditions and mechanisms to address interruption of employment and maintaining benefits through these extraordinary times. 

So, with the situation escalating exponentially and everyone falling in line with the recommended County, State and Federal protocols to attempt to isolate the virus such as cancellation of sporting events and school closures, we want to lead by example and will be cancelling all of our meetings until the end of March. This means that in addition to our Delegates meeting, our JumpStart Vallejo and Community Benefits Coalition meetings will also be cancelled.

The only way we can hope to contain this pandemic is by coordinated community action and voluntary participation and we will continue to see local governments declaring emergencies as the impacts continue to grow and benefits become available by State and Federal agencies. We will keep you as up to date as possible and urge you to become familiar with your affiliate’s protocols.

As for the Spring Salute Awards Reception, we will continue to proceed with the planning for the event but will make a final decision on whether to postpone it the first week in April, when State and County officials will revisit large meeting protocols and we will take measures to ensure we do not incur any charges for postponing. But there will be an event so we will continue to accept sponsorships, ads and ticket sales.

We are meeting Monday to set up ZOOM, a teleconferencing service, which we will use for this Wednesday’s meeting. We are also looking into options with the AFL-CIO to allow for virtual meeting exemptions that will allow us to continue to do the official business of the council online. We will be letting our delegates know the procedures for accessing the virtual meeting and how to sign in ASAP.

I have included some links to information that you and your members may find helpful as the impacts from this unprecedented public health crisis continue to grow.

Be Safe. And Wash Your Hands!

Hello All –

Thank you for participating in the Labor Stakeholder Call today. The feedback you provided via email and on the line was very helpful as we work quickly to respond to the needs of workers and employers in this moment.

Here are the resources mentioned on the call:

As we more information is available we update you.

Additionally, I want to provide my deepest apologies for the persistent beeping and my failure to mute participants. It was a bad decision on my part. We have already corrected this issue for future calls.

In the meantime if other questions arise, please send them to communications@labor.ca.gov and will respond as soon as we can.

Thank you,

Crystal Page

Crystal Page

Labor Workforce & Development Agency

Deputy Secretary, Communications

Crystal.Page@labor.ca.gov

LWDA Direct Line: 916-653-9928

Mar 11

Check out the winners of the Becky Benton Memorial Courage Award, the Toyota Mechanics from Machinists #1173

Mar 09

Napa Working Families Meeting Reminder – Wednesday, March 11th @ 10am (IBEW #180, 720 Technology Way, Napa)

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Minutes from February

Article about redistricting in Napa

Mar 06

10th Annual Spring Salute Awards Reception – postponed until further notice