Teamsters 639’s 9,000 DC-area members drive for a number of area employers, from freight haulers to UPS.
“Some of them are flourishing and some are going to take a hit.” That’s Local 639 president John Gibson; we checked in with him recently on how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting his members. “We also have folks in the casino industry over at MGM, and that's pretty much shut down. Out there at Dulles, the planes are not really operating, so obviously that's having a huge impact. On Amtrak, where we have a contract with Aramark, the trains aren't running as much as they were, if at all. And people just aren't traveling. So those industries are being impacted, but some others are not.” As far as the danger of exposure, Gibson says “It’s a challenge every day. These guys go out there knowing that they're susceptible to exposure to this virus, but they do it anyway, practicing safe hygiene procedure and all that, but it is really tough. But our Teamsters are tough. They're out there.” In today’s labor history, on this date in 2010, a huge underground explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia killed 29 miners. It was the worst U.S. mine disaster in 40 years. The Massey Energy Compnay mine had been cited for two safety infractions the day before the blast; 57 the month before, and 1,342 in the previous five years. Today’s labor quote is by Marissa Lee, a Registered Nurse and board member of National Nurses United. Marissa Lee, who said: “If I get exposed, that’s one less nurse on the floor to care for patients." Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus, which stands up for union members and their families. At unionplus.org you’ll find useful links to coronavirus resources from the AFL-CIO, as well as Union Plus Hardship Help Benefits. Check it out at unionplus.org
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