Wed. 4/1/20 COVID-19 Daily Updates

UNITE HERE Local 5 members help open quarantine/triage site for homeless patients (with photos)

The quarantine site opened today with the help of Local 5 hotel workers who assisted with sanitation and set up of the facility. The site has 26 units, 102 quarantine beds, and will be able to do up to 200 COVID-19 screenings every day.

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Hawaii officials answer questions for tenants and landlords in wake of the coronavirus crisis (Star Advertiser, April 1, 2020)

The Hawaii Dept. of Commerce and Consumer Affairs released a guide to questions about rental tenants in the wake of Gov Ige’s eviction ban in response to COVID-19 Crisis.  You can view the guide at the DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection page here. 

As stay-at-home order continues, president approves Hawaii disaster declaration (Hawaii News Now, April 1, 2020)

Hawaii will now have access to more federal relief funds after officially being declared a federal disaster zone.

As hotels plead for ‘second’ stimulus, Honolulu stares down more than $2.9B in outstanding debt (Pacific Business News, April 1, 2020)

Hotel associations are saying the industry needs a separate financial bailout and special protection from lender and loan servicers because of cashflow loss.  The article points out that billions of dollars of hotel mortgages are in Collaterized Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS), and that these CMBS mortgage debts are inflexible and hard to restructure as opposed to more traditional bank or lending sources.  Foreclosures and fire sales are expected.

Updates from the United States:

  • A 1,000-bed Navy ship, the Comfort, has arrived in New York City. The ship has 12 operating rooms, a medical laboratory and more than 1,000 officers. See the video here.
  • Federal judges block 3 states from enforcing abortion bans tied to the pandemic. Ohio, Iowa, Mississippi, Alabama and Oklahoma are among the other states that recently moved to suspend access. The judges on Monday lifted restrictions Texas, Ohio and Alabama imposed on abortion during the coronavirus pandemic in decisions that could have repercussions for several more Republican-led states that have deemed the procedure non-essential during the crisis. Read more here.
  • Arizona, Virginia, and Washington D.C.have now joined dozens of other states in issuing stay-at-home orders. You can see all the states that currently have stay-at-home orders and advisories

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases:  935k (+84k). Deaths:  46k(+4k). Recovered: 190k(+14k)

USA: Cases: 214k (+26k).  Deaths 4.8k (+937) . Recovered: 8.8k.

Hawaii: Cases: 258 (+34).  Deaths:  1 (0).  Hospitalized: 15 (+2). Recovered: 69 (+11)

UNITE HERE Local 5 Leads Proactive Approach with Industry to Protect Jobs and Healthcare Coverage

UNITE HERE Local 5 Leads Proactive Approach with Industry to Protect Jobs and Healthcare Coverage

Local 5 represents over 12,000 hospitality, healthcare, and food service workers in Hawai’i. We have begun bargaining with the employers to deal the many layoffs of workers and to address measures to protect the health of workers and guests. The Union has been communicating to our Employers that worker safety is equally as important as guest safety, as is maintaining health care benefits for our members during this health crisis.

Local 5’s Proposal to Hotel Employers

Local 5’s Proposal to Kaiser Permanente

Local 5’s letter to HMS Host

UNITE HERE’s Demands to LSG Sky Chefs, Gate Gourmet, and United

Tue. 03/31/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

HELPFUL REMINDERS RE: FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT

Visit our website to read some helpful reminders regarding filing for unemployment.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Hawaii’s first coronavirus-related death was older Oahu man with multiple health issues (Hawaii News Now, March 31, 2020)

The man’s identity and official cause of death have not yet been released. We send our condolences to this man’s family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.

It’s easier for airlines to apply for $29 billion in bailouts from the US government than it is for people to apply for unemployment benefits (Business Insider, March 31, 2020)

The $29 billion offered to airlines for payroll support until September 30 has an absurdly simple five-page application form you can view here. Meanwhile, we have thousands of workers in Hawaii who are still struggling to file for unemployment.

Local 5 represents airline catering workers who work for United Airlines and Gate Gourmet. Like most hospitality workers, they are also experiencing temporary lay-offs and cut hours.

Honolulu’s mayor calls on president to stop all non-essential travel to Hawaii (Hawaii News Now, March 31, 2020)

According to the Mayor, only the President can stop all non-essential travel to Hawaii. Caldwell reports that some travelers are still coming to Hawaii, including 121 on Monday. This included a family of four who arrived with no hotel reservations.

Governor expands state’s mandatory quarantine to include inter-island travelers, too (HawaiiNewsNow, March 30, 2020)

The 14-day mandatory self-quarantine for air travelers in Hawaii has been expanded to include inter-island travel. It will go into effect Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 12:01am and extend through April 30, 2020.

Police statewide are starting to crack down on mandate (KHON March 31, 2020)

Police are starting to crack down, especially on beachgoers. You can go the beach to do individual exercise like surfing, swimming or paddling, but you cannot stay still on the beach.

The Honolulu Police Chief reported 1,500 warnings, 180 citations, and 9 arrests associated with stay at home order violations. The HTA is calling the 800 tourists on quarantine twice a day; if nobody answers, they will notify the HI Emergency Management Agency. Click for a list of do’s and don’ts for the islands: Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Big Island.

DOE adds new schools to list of ‘grab and go’ meal locations (KHON, March 31, 2020)

The following schools are being added on a staggered basis:

  • Starting March 30, Central Oahu: Kaala Elementary School, Kipapa Elementary School; Maui District: Lokelani Intermediate School
  • Starting April 1:
    • Leeward Oahu: August Ahrens Elementary School, Barbers Point Elementary School, Ewa Beach Elementary School, Honowai Elementary School
    • Windward Oahu:  Hauula Elementary School
  • Starting April 6: Hawaii Island: Hilo Union Elementary School

You can view the full list of grab and go meal locations and details here.

Experts say Hawaii unemployment rate may hit 25% (Star Advertiser, March 30, 2020)

University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) predicts unemployment will bottom out around 25% in Hawaii. UHERO notes there is vast uncertainty in the projections because “there is no comparison for this.” UHERO predicts the unemployment rate will begin to drop back down later in the year after peaking in the second quarter.

Hawaii to get $1.2B in direct cash payments to residents as part of stimulus package (Hawaii New Now, March 30, 2020)

Here’s a breakdown on the funding slated for Hawaii:

  • $1.25 billion for state and county response efforts
  • $1.14 billion (estimated) in unemployment assistance
  • $1.24 billion (estimated) in direct cash payments to Hawaii residents
  • $130 million (estimated) for food stamps
  • $53 million to support local schools and colleges
  • $11 million for community health centers in Hawaii
  • $8 million in community development block grants

In Saturday’s daily update, we included an article by Politico which states that the stimulus package gives people who are unemployed an extra $600 per week for up to four months, on top of the state unemployment benefits. A group of GOP senators threatened to block a vote on this, but were luckily unsuccessful.

Individual Tax Relief (Senator Schatz, March 30, 2020)

A summary of benefit and links for individual tax relief measures, including:

  • Tax filing and payment delayed to July 15
  • Penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts
  • Loans from retirement plans
  • Temporary waiver of required distribution rules for retirement plans and accounts
  • Expansion of charitable tax deduction
  • Student loan payments by employers

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases:  858k (+73k). Deaths:  42k(+4.7k). Recovered: 178k(+13k)

USA: Cases: 189k (+25).  Deaths 3.9k (+860) . Recovered: 178k.

Hawaii: Cases: 224 (+20).  Deaths:  1 (+1).  Hospitalized: 13 (+1). Recovered: 58 (+3)

Helpful reminders regarding filing for unemployment

  1. Please remember that you are responsible for filing your claim certification weekly following the specific instructions you are provided on your account page. You can only file online during these times. Monday
    through Friday: 6:30am-11:00pm and on Weekends and Holidays: 9:00am-11:00pm
  2. If you are a first time applicant, please visit our website and follow the specific instructions listed there.
  3. If the State’s Unemployment Office instructs you to call them back, you must do so.
  4. If you have additional questions please call your organizer on their cell phones or Local 5 at 808-941-2141.

 

有關申請失業金有用提醒

2020年3月31日

  1. 只因為你收到一個確認號碼，並不表示你已經提交你個星期的申請。你仍然需要設立一個戶口。請按此處設立你的戶口。在你設定你的戶口之後，你將收到一通電郵重新設置你的密碼。請確保你有這樣做。
  2. 你可以直至4月4日星期六提交你在3月22日至3月28日的每個星期之申請證明。記住，失業福利的每個星期從星期日起計，至星期六。
  3. 請記住按照在你的戶口頁中提供的指示，你需要負責每個星期提交申請證明。你只可以在這些時間內申請：星期一至五：上午6:30至下午11時，和周末及公眾假期，上午9時至11時。
  4. 如果你是第一次的申請者，請上我們的網頁，按照網頁的指示申請。
  5. 如州失業辦事處指示你打電話給他們，你必須這樣做。
  6. 如你有任何額外問題，請致電你的組織工作者的手機，或來電五號工會，808-941-2141。

 

 

Sun. 03/29/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Trump extends federal stay-at-home guidelines to April 30 (Hawaii News Now, March 29, 2020)

Rather than relaxing the stay at home federal guidelines on April 12, the administration finally decided April 30 is more appropriate.

More Than 2,000 Americans Have Died of the Coronavirus. Trump Is Tweeting About His TV Ratings (Mother Jones, March 29, 2020)

In case you needed more evidence the President is ill-suited to deal with this crisis, Trump is on Twitter comparing his COVID White House press briefing’s TV ratings to Monday Night Football and the Bachelor.

Two Big Island Hotels Donate to Fight Against COVID-19 (Big Island Now, March 29, 2020)

Kona Beach Hotel gives 2,000 pounds of food, Fairmont Orchid donates 1,600 masks to island medical facilities.

In this article from Friday, our Financial Secretary-Treasurer Eric Gill called on the hotels to donate cleaning supplies that are being unused in their hotel storerooms to the medical triage and quarantine center opening on April 1 for homeless residents. So far, the companies that have donated are: Turtle Bay Resort, Kaiser Permanente, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Kyo-ya, and Waikiki Resort.

ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS (Senator Schatz)

Updated info for renters and mortgage payers with federally backed housing loan programs. Schatz says over 60% of mortgages in Hawaii, and across the country, are backed by the federal government.

EMERGENCY PAID LEAVE (Senator Schatz)

Summary of paid sick leave and paid FMLA for corona-related care.

WARN Act Considerations in COVID-19 Related Layoffs and Furloughs (Lexology, March 22, 2020)

The WARN act requires 60 day notices for planned mass layoffs. The COVID crisis would probably fall under the unforeseen circumstances exemption for layoff notices (and therefore workers’ legal recourse for failure to WARN), but the question arises how the WARN act would apply as the COVID crisis drags out and the layoffs become permanent or “foreseeable,” or furloughs last more than 6 months. The article linked here doesn’t provide answers to this esoteric issue, but generally asks some questions and offers some insights.

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 722K (+60k). Deaths: 34k (+3.3k). Recovered: 152k (+12.6k)

USA: Cases: 142k (+19.4k).  Deaths 2.5k (+400)  Recovered: 4.8k (+3.8k).

Hawaii: Cases: 175 (+24).  Deaths: 0 (0).  Hospitalized: 12 (0). Recovered: 49 (+10).

Sat. 03/28/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

POTENTIAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Essential workers are needed in grocery stores, healthcare, etc. Local 5 and our training trust HARIETT are working on finding job opportunities for our members.

If you’d like to be notified about future job opportunities, text HARIETT to 877-877. We will text you back with questions you must respond to in order to be added to HARIETT’s contact list.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Trump says he won’t comply with key transparency measures in the coronavirus stimulus bill (Vox.com, Mar 28, 2020)

Donald Trump has straight up declared that his government will not support oversight of the $500 billion emergency business loan program. He said in his signing statement that he would decide what information his government agencies would give in response to an Inspector General request for documents. Trump would also decide whether Congress would see the IG’s reports about instances of agencies failing to or refusing to provide documents.

The IG oversight was pushed by Democrats in this bill, but is appointed and approved by Trump and the Senate. The IG is supposed to make sure the restrictions and purposes of the $500 billion of loan are honored by businesses. This includes provisions to ensure that workers get some of that $500 billion in wages and benefits, rather than it being fully pocketed by CEOs and top management. This is a huge disappointment for our country’s working families.

Fine print of stimulus bill contains special deals for industries  (Pacific Business News, March 25 2020)

This New York Times articles explains how Trump and certain industries can benefit from the loans and the other provisions in the bill.

The provision allowing hotel owners with multiple properties and less than 500 employees at each property to qualify for the SBA payroll loan could include Trump’s hotel business. Another change allows hotels, restaurants and retailers that have spent money fixing up their properties in the last two years to accelerate the way they write off those expenses, effectively giving them an immediate tax refund. The tax benefit would be retroactive to 2018 and would last for at least three more years, before it is gradually phased out.

Jared Kushner’s businesses could be exempt from the bar on Trump family members getting benefits because his companies are often structured so that he doesn’t meet the 20% ownership threshold for exclusion.

The bill would allow all colleges to keep federal funds for student loans, even if the students in question dropped out because of coronavirus-related emergencies. The provision applies to all colleges, but for-profit colleges tend to have higher dropout rates.

How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19 (Non Profit Quarterly, March 26, 2020)

The bill appears to only apply to 501(c)(3) charitable non-profits; labor unions are 501(c)(5) nonprofits. Future bailout bills should include labor unions for its loan and forgiveness programs.

The CARES Act allows small (under 500 employees) for-profit businesses and charitable non-profits (and self-employed, independent contractors, sole proprietors) access to expanded Small Business Administration emergency “7(a)” loans up to $10 million. The portion of the loans up that are used to pay for employee payrolls will be waived and forgiven if those companies maintain their previous level of staffing up to June 30th. The loan will also forgive expenses for health insurance premiums, facilities costs (rent, mortgage, utilities,) and debt service.

DIRECT PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS  (Senator Brian Schatz, March 27 2020)

Senator Schatz provides a summary of the logistics, rules and process for the $1,200 one time payment.

ASSISTANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS (Senator Schatz)

Senator Schatz provides a summary and links to protections and rules mortgage forbearance, foreclosure relief, and eviction relief for federal-linked mortgages and rental properties.

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 662k (+65k). Deaths:  30.7k (+3.4k). Recovered: 139.4K (+7.7k).

USA: Cases: 122.6k (+18k).  Deaths 2.1k (+400)  Recovered: 1k (+110).

Hawaii: Cases: 151 (+29).  Deaths: 0.  Hospitalized: 12 (0) Recovered: 39 (+3).