Union Times – 30 Sep 2020

2020 has been an unpredictable year, so don’t waste any time making sure you’re registered—and registering to vote if you aren’t.

You can also register to vote at least 15 days before Election Day online by following the link below:

REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE

Michigan residents are eligible to register to vote if they are:

• A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
• A United States citizen
• At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
• Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

Missed the deadline to register online? Michigan residents can register to vote through Election Day, November 3rd by visiting a clerk’s office. Learn more about registering and casting your ballot by visiting the Michigan Department of State step-by-step guide online by clicking here.

Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Find out by visiting the Michigan Department of State’s website here.

Need to contact your clerk? Find your clerk by filling out the Michigan Department of State’s voter information form here.

Visit the Michigan AFL-CIO voter’s guide to find out what candidates are labor friendly and support unions. In key races, AFL-CIO has endorsed Joe Biden for President, Gary Peters for U.S. Senate and Elizabeth Welch for MI Supreme Court. Type in your address and the recommended candidates for your address will appear.  Visit https://miaflcio.vote/to learn more.

COVID-19 Halloween recommendations 

“The way we celebrate Halloween in Michigan will be different this year due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “However, there are still many ways to celebrate safely. The guidance MDHHS issued today provides tips for trick-or-treaters and their parents along with homeowners who wish to hand out treats.”

Tips for all groups include staying home if you are sick; maintaining social distancing of at least six feet; wearing a cloth mask that covers both the mouth and nose; and washing hands often or frequently using hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recently issued recommendations and considers trick-or-treating a high-risk activity. The CDC offers alternative activities to consider as well as safety tips if parents and children choose to trick-or-treat.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The year 2020 has brought on challenges that no one could have predicted, yet I am grateful to be at the helm of this great union, Local 223 UWUA. I am proud of the solidarity of all of our members as we battle the coronavirus pandemic. The sacrifices that we all make every day to ensure that the community we serve has lights and gas, is HEROIC. We are the backbone of industry. Without us everything comes to a stop. I’ve seen all of our members rise to the occasion, doing whatever it takes to get the job done. We have shown our resilience, reliability and flexibility to make sure we are here to serve the public that counts on us. Our plans constantly evolve to deal with this threat and because of the nature of this virus, each day brings new challenges.

The global health crisis of COVID-19 has created an unprecedented amount of need for many of our neighbors, family members and friends across our city, region and state. Some people are not able to work, or have had a loved one pass away from this disease and are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Local 223 UWUA always rises to the occasion to help others since part of our mission is to create a more just and secure workplace and society.  

Local 223 UWUA encourages members to consider finding a way to give back during these difficult times to those who need it most. Below are some organizations around the region who are doing their part to help the most vulnerable in our society. Please consider volunteering to help or making a donation.

The road to the White House runs straight through Michigan.

This election year, you have more options than ever for making your voice heard. Whether it’s voting by mail, early voting or casting your ballot at your polling place on Election Day, make your plan to vote today! Find out more at www.IWillVote.com/MI.

Join the Michigan AFL-CIO for a day of action Saturday, October 3rd at 2p.m. for our union family. We’ll hear from a special guest speaker, then go through a quick training together before we hit the phones to talk to our brothers & sisters about returning their absentee ballots! Sign up here.

We hope you’ll make your voting plan and please consider joining us October 3^rd. This election is too important to sit on the sidelines!

We need to fight for issues that are important to us – economic justice in the workplace and social justice in communities across Michigan. This means union members and their families need to turn out to vote on November 3, 2020. Join brothers and sisters across Michigan in volunteering to support pro-labor candidates up and down the ballot this year. Visit https://miaflcio.vote/volunteer/  to find out more.

We need you! The Michigan AFL-CIO needs your help this week in support of the election and is seeking volunteers to be poll watchers and poll workers. If you’re interested or would like more information, sign up here.

Additionally, join your brothers and sisters across Michigan in volunteering to support pro-labor candidates up and down the ballot by participating in a virtual member-to-member phone bank. You can sign up here to participate. Remote phone banks are being held 5 days a week, with trainings 3 times a day. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection and your phone.  

Our union values are on the ballot this year, and it’s never been more important for us to make our voices heard. Please consider volunteering some of your time in the coming weeks so we can send a clear message at the ballot box that working families’ values matter.

In solidarity,

Patrick M. Dillon
Executive Vice President
Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), AFL-CIO

• Register to receive Union Times Email News
• Receive Local 223 Text Communications (Link to story below)
• Join Local 223 Private Facebook Group for more personal interaction
• Join Local 223 Public Facing Facebook Page to share news with friends, family and neighbors about the great things we’re doing for the community and what we’re doing as first responders. 
• Local 223 Annunciator – quarterly print newsletter mailed to members.
• Follow UWUA National on Facebook and sign up to receive e-Alerts

Local 223 Text Communication

Sign up to receive texts with Division updates, social event alerts, emails surveys and much more. Start a new text and enter the new Long Code, 8775800223, as the recipient, and second, enter your keyword into the message area of the text.

• Division – Keyword
• OPT – 223OPT
• Underground – 223UGL
• PowerGen – 223PGD
• Substations – 223SUB
• Stores – 223STORES
• Motor Trans – 223MOTORTRANS
• Warren Shops – 223SHOPS
• Gas – 223GAS
• Fermi – 223FERMI
• Meter – 223METER
• Transmission Trades – 223ULC
• Facilities – 223FMS

Keywords have no space between numbers and letters. Once you send the text, you will be prompted to answer 2 additional questions to complete your registration. Please enter your name and a non-Company email address. Failure to do so may result in you being deleted from the list!