COVID-19

Brothers and Sisters,

During this unprecedented national crisis, please be assured that our team at Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 773 are working diligently to ensure the livelihood of our members. We are staying on top of the news and combing through the Federal and State mandates, we are in constant communication with our U.A. International Representative receiving direction and valuable information from the U.A. General Office, we are posting everything of relevance and anything we think might be helpful to you to our website and Facebook page…we are doing everything we can to keep you informed and to protect you and your families.

As we have been, we will be posting new information as it becomes available. Please do your due diligence to stay safe and healthy. Most importantly, we must stand united. Together we will get through this!

Fraternally yours,
Michael R. Jarvis
Business Manager
Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 773

The Union & Benefits offices have resumed semi-normal operation allowing the public into the building. We do ask that you wear a face mask for the time being though when entering the building, just as you must in other public places. As always, we are committed and here for you; thank you for your patience and understanding!

CLICK HERE to view the pdf outlining the updated FAQs for the NYS Unemployment Insurance Benefits as updated by the NYS DOL on 3/31/2020.

CLICK HERE to view the pdf document outlining  the information listed below.

RELIEF FOR WORKERS AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS ACT: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides payment to workers not traditionally eligible for
unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and
others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency.

COVID-19 SCENARIOS COVERED

Diagnosed with COVID-19 or with COVD-19 symptoms and seeking diagnosis

Member of household has been diagnosed with COVID-19

Providing care for family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19

Primary caregiver for child unable to attend school or another facility closed due to COVID-19

Unable to reach place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or because advised by medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19

Scheduled to commence new employment and cannot reach workplace as direct result of COVID-19

Became major breadwinner because head of household died from COVID-19

Quit job as a direct result of COVID-19

Place of employment closed as a direct result of COVID-19

Self-employed/Independent Contractors/1099 filers/Farmers–and affected by COVID-19

Seeking part-time employment but affected by COVID-19

With insufficient work history and affected by COVID-19

Otherwise not qualified for regular or extended UI benefits and affected by COVID-19

NOT COVERED

Individuals that can telework with pay

Individual receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits (regardless of meeting a category listed above)

CLICK HERE to view the pdf document outlining the information listed below.

RELIEF FOR WORKERS AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS ACT

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND DO ABOUT THE CARES ACT 

The federal CARES Act was signed into law March 27, 2020. The Act provides enhanced Unemployment
Insurance (UI) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for New Yorkers. Here’s what you need to know.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY APPROVED FOR UI BENEFITS: 

• Do Nothing. Your benefits will automatically be updated. Please do not call, it will only make it difficult
for others to reach an agent.

WHAT YOU MAY QUALIFY TO RECEIVE
• 26 weeks of UI benefits.
• An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020. (Beginning 4/5/2020)
• An additional 13 weeks of UI benefits if you are still unemployed after 26 weeks.

IF YOU ARE FILING A NEW UI CLAIM:

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Apply online at labor.ny.gov/signin.
• You may also call 1-888-209-8154 if you do not have access to a computer.

WHAT YOU MAY QUALIFY TO RECEIVE
• 26 weeks of UI benefits.
• An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020. (Beginning 4/5/2020)
• An additional 13 weeks of UI benefits if you are still unemployed after 26 weeks.

IF YOU ARE NOT TRADITIONALLY ELIGIBLE FOR UI BENEFITS:

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
• Check your eligibility for PUA labor.ny.gov/ui/pdfs/pandemic-unemployment-assistance.pdf
• If you believe you are eligible, apply online at labor.ny.gov/signin.
• You may also call 1-888-209-8154 if you do not have access to a computer.

WHAT YOU MAY QUALIFY TO RECEIVE
• 26 weeks of PUA benefits.
• An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020. (Beginning 4/5/2020)
• An additional 13 weeks of benefits if you are still unemployed after 26 weeks.

IF YOU’VE EXHAUSTED 26 WEEKS OF BENEFITS AFTER 7/1/2019:

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
• Apply online at labor.ny.gov/signin.
• You may also call 1-888-209-8154 if you do not have access to a computer.

WHAT YOU MAY QUALIFY TO RECEIVE
• 13 weeks of benefits.
• An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020. (Beginning 4/5/2020)


MORE INFORMATION:
See Frequently Asked Questions About UI During the Coronavirus Emergency:
labor.ny.gov/ui/coronavirus-faq.shtm
To apply for UI benefits file on these days:
Filing for UI benefits is based on your last name.
A - F file on Monday | G - N file on Tuesday | O - Z file on Wednesday
Missed your day? File on Thurs-Fri-Sat

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND DO ABOUT THE CARES ACT RELIEF FOR WORKERS AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS ACT: The federal CARES Act was signed into law March 27, 2020. The Act provides enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for New Yorkers. Here’s what you need to know:

CLICK HERE

Online: labor.ny.gov/signin
Phone: 1-888-209-8154
To apply for UI benefits file on these days:
Filing for UI benefits is based on your last name.
A - F file on Monday | G - N file on Tuesday | O - Z file on Wednesday
Missed your day? File on Thurs-Fri-Sat

Unemployment Insurance

Important Information for Unemployment Insurance Claimants:

The federal government enacted the Familes First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes extended unemployment benefits. New York has not qualified for these extended benefits at this time, but we will continue to monitor the situation and leverage all federal resources to help New Yorkers survive the economic hardships associated with the novel coronavirus. If New York State DOES qualify for the extended benefits, New Yorkers do NOT need to do anything new. We will post additional information here as it becomes available. Please do NOT call our unemployment hotline with questions about extended benefits -- this helps us keep our phone lines available for your fellow New Yorkers who need to file new claims. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

NYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.

If you are filing a new unemployment insurance claim, the day you should file is based on the first letter of your last name. If your last name starts with A - F, file your claim on Monday. For last names starting with G - N, file your claim on Tuesday. For last names starting with O - Z, file your claim on Wednesday. If you missed your filing day, file your claim on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Filing later in the week will not delay your payments or affect the date of your claim, since all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed.

Here is a step by step process to file a claim online.

We are extending telephone filing hours as follows:
Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 7:30 pm.
Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Saturday, 7:30 am to 8:00 pm.

CLICK HERE to be redirected the New York State Department of Labor website.

CLICK HERE to visit the NYS Department of Health website for up to date information.

CLICK HERE to download the pdf version of this release.

As we work to implement NYS mandated preventive measures regarding the recent COVID19 pandemic, we want to assure our members that we will continue to be a resource to you and your families. With that being said, in the best interest of our office staff, the Union and Benefits offices are CLOSED to all public and face-to-face interaction, BUT both offices will remain open with staff on hand Monday through Friday from 8:00AM—4:30PM and are available via phone, email and fax. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we progress through this unprecedented time. Please remain safe and do your due diligence to help stop the spread of this virus!

Union Office Info:

Member Per Cap Dues: we encourage you to pay your monthly per cap dues over the phone using a debit/credit card. You may also mail your payment through the USPS via check or money order. As a last resort, if you would like to drop off a payment, please place in the Benefits mailbox by the front door. Please note that the Union/Training mailbox does not lock!

Benefits Office Info:

Until further notice, all Benefits paperwork (HRA Claims, Pension and Annuity Applications) MUST be mailed in or dropped in our securely locked drop box located outside the front door. This mailbox will be checked regularly throughout the day. We understand reimbursement checks are extremely important and will do our best to continue providing fast and efficient processing of all requests.

If you are ill - PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND USE DOCTOR ON DEMAND

To get started:

1. Visit Doctorondemand.com/cdphp/join (or download the app from the App Store or Google Play)
2. Follow the on screen instructions to register for your FREE account.

During the registration process, be sure to use CDPHP as your insurance provider. Include both your group and id number found on your CDPHP Insurance card to receive the current -$0-copay for these services.

Training Office Info:

Local 773’s training facility and weld shop are closed until further notice.

Effective March 18, 2020, Local 773’s JATC has cancelled the few remaining weeks of Apprenticeship class as we do our part to protect our members, their families, and the surrounding community.

All additional classes/training have also been cancelled/postponed, which includes First Aid/CPR/AED, Medical Gas Installer Recertification and Industrial Rigging Recertification. As we advance through this crisis, we will work to reschedule all necessary training.

Please note that the UA has also suspended all Regional Training Courses through May 1, 2020.

WE ARE HERE FOR OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT US!

UNION OFFICE
Phone: 518-792-9157
Fax: 518-792-4876

Michael Jarvis, Business Manager/FST
Cell Phone: (518) 502-4028
Email: mikej@lu773.org

Brian Kill, Business Agent
Cell Phone: (518) 796-4326
Email: briank@lu773.org

Bill Austin, Organizer
Cell Phone: (518) 796-6502
Email: billa@lu773.org

Jake Ringer, Training Coordinator
Cell Phone: (518) 307-9424
Email: jaker@lu773.org

Alexis Flewelling, Union/Training Office Prof.
Email: alexisf@lu773.org

Ann Marie Patenaude, Assistant to the Fin. Sec.-Treas.
Email: annp@lu773.org

BENEFITS OFFICE
Phone: (518) 792-0586
Fax: (518) 792-0732

Chris Baxter, Fund Administrator Cell Phone: (518) 361-2902
Email: chrisb@lu773.org

Kethem Novick, Assistant to the Fund Administrator
Email: kethemn@lu773.org

Please follow our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on the current affairs we face as a country and information that pertains to our Local Union.

CLICK HERE to listen to the address by UA General President Mark McManus to all UA Brothers & Sisters