The Machinists Union, along with allies in labor and on Capitol Hill, won critical provisions to help IAM members and working people who remain deeply affected by the COVID-19 crisis in the latest emergency relief legislation poised to be passed by Congress.
Top-Line Impacts for IAM Members
– Direct Payments: An additional round of Economic Impact Payments of $600 for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000 per year, as well as a $600 payment for each child dependent. This means a family of four will receive $2,400 in direct payments.
– Airline Worker Relief: The airline Payroll Support Program (PSP) has been extended until March 31, 2021. Thousands of IAM airline members will go back to work. This extension prohibits any airline accepting additional PSP funds from involuntarily furloughing employees for the duration of the program.
– Transit Worker Relief: The package includes extended and enhanced unemployment benefits for railroad employees, plus an extension of waiver of the seven-day waiting period. Amtrak is restricted from furloughing additional employees.
– Unemployment Assistance: Those who are out of work will get an extra $300 per week in federal cash through March 14, 2021. The legislation also extends employment benefits to self-employed individuals, gig workers and those who’ve exhausted their state benefits.
– Eviction Ban Extended: A federal eviction ban has been extended through the end of January
Click here for a full detailed summary of coronavirus relief provisions.
“Working people are receiving a down payment of much-needed assistance with Congress’ long overdue passage of a relief package,” said IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. “The IAM has been leading this fight on Capitol Hill and with the help of our sisters and brothers in organized labor, we were able to secure assistance for our members, their families and communities.
“The bill includes a long overdue clean extension of the airline Payroll Support Program, which will help bring thousands of laid-off frontline airline workers back to work. While this bill affords many of our members some of the aid they need, far more relief is needed for members in other industries, like aerospace and manufacturing.
“We urge Congress to return next year and immediately work with the incoming Biden-Harris administration to expand upon this legislation with a more comprehensive package that will safeguard the livelihoods and futures of all IAM members and working people.
“I want to thank our Legislative Department, as well as Transportation General Vice President Sito Pantoja and TCU/IAM National President Arthur Maratea for all their hard work and unrelenting pressure behind the scenes to get this deal done.
“We will not relent in our pressure until every member and their family has the support they need during these unprecedented times.”