With the push from the Biden Administration to pass a comprehensive COVID relief package, the Machinists Union is fighting to make sure that aid for IAM members working in troubled industries is included in the relief package. As reported by Reuters, International President Robert Martinez Jr. and the IAM Legislative Department have been pushing Congress to include provisions that help save and secure jobs in the air transport, aerospace manufacturing and rail transit sectors. The IAM is also pushing for direct relief checks that benefit working people and subsidized COBRA healthcare benefits for those who have lost healthcare coverage.

“Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, transportation and aerospace workers have been forced to work through difficult times, unsure about their health and futures,” said Martinez. “Thousands of jobs have already been lost, and without these provisions, those numbers are likely to increase. The IAM is doing everything possible to get relief for aerospace, airline, transportation and all workers during this unprecedented time.”

The IAM continues to lead the fight on Capitol Hill for an extension of the airline Payroll Support Program (PSP) to keep tens of thousands of IAM members employed. In a letter to Senate and House leadership, the IAM, along with a coalition of aviation unions, urged members of the House and Senate to include this vitally important, bipartisan legislation in any COVID-19 pandemic relief package to be considered by Congress.

Call your Representative at 202-224-3121 and urge them to pass an extension of the airline Payroll Support Program, and save thousands of frontline aviation jobs.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Your U.S. Senators and Representative to extend the Airline Payroll Support Program Through September 2021  

The Machinists Union is also calling for inclusion of the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act of 2021 in the COVID relief package. This legislation would help employers bring aerospace manufacturing workers back onto their payrolls and avoid additional furloughs.

In a letter to Senate and House leadership, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. urged members of the House and Senate to include this vitally important, bipartisan legislation in any COVID-19 pandemic relief package to be considered by Congress.

IAM members must act now and call your Representative at 202-224-3121 to urge them to include the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act of 2021, and save thousands of crucial aerospace jobs. This sorely needed relief will protect aerospace workers and help this critical workforce and supply chain weather the storm of this historic pandemic.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Your U.S. Senators and Representative to support the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act of 2021.

The IAM and TCU/IAM have led the charge in calling for enough Amtrak funding to recall furloughed workers and resume daily service on long-distance trains. The group is also urging Congress to include in their COVID package much-needed relief for transit agencies, as well as funding for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) to better process claims for the thousands of currently unemployed railroaders.

Thanks to this strong advocacy, all of these provisions have been included in the House Democrats’ proposed bill. The draft transportation section of the COVID relief bill will be taken up in committee this week. The legislation includes $30 billion for transit, $1.5 billion for Amtrak (and return furloughed workers and long distance service), as well as extending RUI benefits and more money to help the RRB process RUI claims on time.

The IAM and TCU/IAM call on Congress to pass this bill quickly so members can get back to work.

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