TWU Local 570, in coordination with the TWU International, secured a big win for their members based at LaGuardia (LGA) and JFK Airports in New York, both of which are currently experiencing some highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country.
International Executive Vice President Alex Garcia and International Administrative Vice President Mike Mayes played an integral role in assisting Local 570 members at LGA and JFK. Both are working to ensure that the legislators, airlines, and companies the TWU represents, recognize that our members are deemed essential workers, just like healthcare workers.
While Garcia and Mayes are in no way diminishing the extreme role that healthcare workers are in, they are fighting daily for the PPE the TWU also believes is necessary to protect our frontline members. While we recognize the delicate balance our members play in this pandemic, we are constantly working to make sure that none of our members are unnecessarily exposed.
International Rep Jose Galarza noted that Local 570 President Dan Rivera immediately started discussions with Envoy management last week when multiple members from his local tested positive for COVID-19. He vigorously worked through the weekend to finalize the details and get members home.
On the night of April 5, Local 570 members began to stay home with pay. Last week, Rivera also coordinated with the TWU International to secure PPE for his members in NYC, the epicenter of this pandemic.
Rivera’s concern for his local’s members safety and well-being is his top priority. He worked with both AMT & related and Fleet Service management to ensure all workgroups were treated fairly.