COVID-19

UPDATE

All individuals 16 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. To locate and schedule the vaccine select your state from the list below:

Alaska
Idaho
Montana
Washington
Wyoming

Oregon

Contact us at (877) 284-7936 or COVID19@nwcarpenters.org

The union’s COVID 19 Response:

  • Adopt a social responsibility mindset. Everyone is experiencing the same new information and uncertainty. By remaining calm and helpful, we can assist each other in problem-solving.
  • Be optimistic. We are all in this together and together we will find a way forward.
  • Show support for each other. This is an important time for resource sharing. Have a question? We are here to help. 

Council Staffing Update as of April 2, 2020
We are following state and federal guidelines to reduce virus transmission in all Council offices. You can contact our offices by phone and messages will be returned in the order they are received.

Our dispatch department is actively dispatching members to job sites. 

Representatives are prioritizing visiting union job sites until further notice. 

Representatives and administrative staff are taking calls from members and responding to job site issues. Please call (877) 284.7936 with any concerns.


Past Communications

From the UBC

COVID-19 en español

STATE RESOURCES

Alaska

Idaho

Montana

Oregon

Washington

Wyoming



Federal Resources


CDC Tips on Staying Healthy and other safe practices during the outbreak


OSHA COVID-19 Resource Page for latest on occupational safety during the COVID-19 outbreak


Washington Post created a calculator to estimate your stimulus check


International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans has a great resource page on pensions and benefits


Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: April 3, 2020

Additional, state-specific FAQ answers can be found at the bottom of each state page. We will be adding additional questions as we are able to answer them. If you have more questions or feel you did not get the answer you needed, contact us at (877) 284-7936 or COVID19@nwcarpenters.org.

➤ What should I do if my employer is not following health and safety guidelines?
If you believe your job site is unsafe, or that proper precautions are not in place to keep you safe, we need to know. Representatives will work with you and the contractor to make sure that the job site is following proper safety guidelines. If you think your job site is not following CDC or OSHA guidelines for COVID-19, call our hotline (877) 284.7936 or email us at COVID19@nwcarpenters.org.
➤ How does the government or the council determine who is an essential employee?

The definition of “essential employee” is an employee that performs work involving the safety of human life or the protection of property.

Governments have the authority to make this determination, not the Union. We are continuing to monitor the situation and how it affects our members and their safety. This page will be updated as new information is released.

If you feel your job site is unsafe, call our hotline (877) 284-7936 or email us at COVID19@nwcarpenters.org to report and issue.

➤ What if I don’t have enough hours for health benefits to cover COVID-19 testing?

New legislation requires that group health plans and health insurers cover coronavirus testing. (This includes grandfathered health plans under the ACA.) These tests do not require cost-sharing, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

These tests are not subject to prior authorization or any other medical management requirements. Government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, will cover coronavirus testing, free of charge, and without cost-sharing as well.

➤ Will we be receiving hazard pay moving forward during the COVID-19 pandemic if our job site is still open?

At this time there is no Collective Bargaining Agreement which allows hazard pay in relation to COVID-19. We are looking at future bargaining sessions to address this issue.

➤ What benefits are available to members?

Union members have access to benefits via the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. This includes the FCRA (Families First Coronavirus Response Act), the FMLA (The Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act), and the EPSLA (The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act).

Did You Know?

Apprenticeships help business.

Apprentices are great for business: helps recruit and develop a highly skilled work force; improves productivity and the bottom line; provides opportunities for tax credits and employee tuition benefits in some states; reduces turnover costs and increases employee retention; and creates industry-driven, flexible training solutions for local and national needs. Learn More

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