Return to Work & Food Bank Info

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
                                                I want to thank everyone for the tremendous turnout at the rally today. Please remember our work is not complete. We need to contact our federal elected officials again to convey the message that government shutdowns are unacceptable and all federal contract workers should receive back pay for this latest one.
                      Kennedy Space Center was back open as of 12pm today. As a result, all employees working on the IMSS, KPLSS, LASSO, TOSC & ISC contracts should report to their normally scheduled shifts on Monday, January 28th, 2019, unless directed to report earlier by management.
                     There will be a food bank distribution this upcoming Thursday, January 31st, 2019 from 12pm to 5pm at the hall. The food bank is to be administered by Second Harvest Food Bank and Hands for Healing International. It is open to the entire community so please help share this information and provide the address of the hall, 271 Taylor Ave., Cape Canaveral, FL, 32920.

In Solidarity,

Ed Grabowski
President
LL2061
District 166
IAMAW

Rally & Food Drive Is Still On!!!!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
                                                The Solidarity Rally and Food Drive will still happen tomorrow, January 26th, 2019, from 12pm to 2pm. Even though we have received encouraging news that the  government shutdown will end, the proposed continuing resolution only funds the government through February 15th, 2019. As I said in a earlier blog, it is imperative that all members make every attempt to attend. We want to send a message that government shutdowns are not acceptable and that all federal contractors impacted should receive the back pay missed due to the latest shutdown.

In Solidarity,

Ed Grabowski
President
LL2061
District 166
IAMAW

Rally Reminder & Other Info

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
                                                Please remember the solidarity rally and food drive scheduled for this Saturday, January 26th, from 12pm - 2pm. It is important that all members make every attempt to attend. For those that have been fortunate enough to work during the shutdown, I encourage you to consider donating non-perishable food items to the food drive.
                 Members that are employed on the ISC contract and looking to transition to the BOSS contract should know that PAE has notified us that all job offers for represented employees are still on hold. We will inform everyone as soon as they provide us an update on the job offers.
                  We were made aware today of concerns from members that they might not receive all of the wage/pay compensation they are entitled to for work during a base closure. These concerns need to be put to rest as we will ensure everyone receives all compensation they are entitled to per their respective CBA. In addition, conversations have been held with the companies pertaining these concerns and they agreed the CBAs will be followed pertaining base closure compensation.
                 In a final note, I received the same suggestion from several members on financially surviving the shutdown. It was to lower your 401K deductions until the shutdown is over and we return to work. You will have to contact your employer to accomplish this and we can assist in identifying a point of contact.

In Solidarity,

Ed Grabowski
President
LL2061
District 166
IAMAW

Do Not Establish a GoFundMe Page/Account

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
                                                Please do not establish a GoFundMe page/account to raise funds for yourself. There might be ethical and legality concerns involved as we are federal contractor employees. We will contact the IAMAW legal department for guidance and provide an update on this subject.

In Solidarity,

Ed Grabowski
President
LL2061
District 166
IAMAW

Time for Action

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
                                            The effects of the government shutdown are a crisis that only continues to grow as it drags on. Already, as a result of the shutdown, some of our fellow members of LL2061 have received layoff notices with a termination date of 1/25/2019.
          As such, now is not the time to remain idle and silent. If you haven't already done so, I need everyone to contact your congressional representative and both Senator Rubio and Senator Scott to urge them to end the shutdown and return us to work. Please encourage all of your family members(include relatives nationwide), neighbors and friends to do the same.
           There is also a solidarity rally at the hall scheduled for next
Saturday, 1/26/2019, from 12pm to 2pm. I implore all members to make every effort to attend. This is an instance where your personal actions can help influence an outcome.
           Below are links to find the contact info for Central Florida's congressional representatives and Florida's U. S. Senators. Please share these links with your family and friends so they can find their Congressional Representative(s).
            Refer to the attached flyers that have more information about the rally and shutdown relief donations.
              In closing, we will all get through this together by being there for each other and doing our part as a union member.

                                                             In solidarity,
                                                                                    Ed Grabowski
                                                                                    President LL 2061
                                                                                    District 166  IAMAW
                                                               

Note: If the shutdown ends before 1/26/2019 the rally will be canceled.

Note: Please provide this blog link to all members you are in contact with. We are still building our contact list and your help disseminating information is greatly appreciated. Encourage all that haven't provided their contact info to send it to me via email or text, edwardgrabowski@bellsouth.net or 386-846-8671. The contact info should include the member's name, job classification, phone#, personal email & contract employed on, ie: ISC, TOSC, etc...

Congressional links to find your Representatives and Senators: www.usa.gov/elected-officials and www.house.gov

n, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-3671

Building stronger lines of communication

Sisters and brothers,

We are currently building a database for more efficient lines of communication.  Please contact President Ed Grabowski 386 846 8671 or email edwardgrabowski@bellsouth.net with your personal phone number and email so that we can keep you up to date with the latest information relating to the shutdown.  We will also keep you informed about the BOSS transition.

AECOM insurance verification  844-779-9567
IMPORTANT NOTE: if you signed up for AECOM insurance BEFORE Dec 31, 2018 (KSC 750/1500 plan) this plan IS NOT available even if you have received insurance cards. You MUST sign up again BEFORE Jan 31, 2019 OR YOU WILL NOT HAVE INSURANCE!!

Yang insurance verification    800-457-3481

AECOM/Yang contract has been extended until March 1, 2019 due to the government shutdown.

BOSS job offers are on hold due to the government shutdown.

PAE employment questions  Justin Boggs   Justin.boggs@pae.com  864-412-2002



Several banking institutions are offering members effected by the shutdown with 12 month 0% interest loans.  Launch and space coast credit unions are offering this.

Local food pantries are available throughout central Florida.  We realize this is tough to do but please utilize these services if you need them.

We realize these are tough times for all our members.  Together we are stronger.  If you are working please remember other members would appreciate the opportunity to share in some the scarce hours available.

For additional assistance see below:

United Way, one of the AFL-CIO’s national partners, supports 2-1-1, a free nationwide information and referral line that helps people find local resources they may be eligible to obtain 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The 2-1-1 line can be accessed by phone or computer. A toll-free call to 2-1-1 connects you to a community resource specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations that provide critical services, including:

• Supplemental food and nutrition programs;
• Shelter and housing options, and utilities assistance;
• Employment and education opportunities;
• Services for veterans; and
• Health care and mental health services.

Call 2-1-1 and speak with a live, highly trained service professional in your area from any cell phone or landline. All calls are private and confidential, and assistance is available in multiple languages.

Or visit 211.org  to locate organizations in your community that provide support and assistance to working families in their time of need.

To find a local United Way in your community and learn about potential additional resources, visit unitedway.org/find-your-united-way

And if you know of a worker impacted by the shutdown, please share this with them as well.