COVID-19 Update: March 16, 2020

Brothers and Sisters,

As many of you have heard, because of COVID-19, President Trump has declared a national state of emergency. Governor Whitmer has ordered additional restrictions in the state of Michigan. Here are the important things to know related to your job, your training, and your membership in the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights.

 

Jobsites:

  • Some employers have been asking workers to sign declaration forms, verifying that workers are symptom-free in order to be on the jobsite. They are legally allowed to do this and we appreciate your compliance.
  • We are working closely with the State of Michigan to ensure that only those jobsites that need to close will close and that workers will be safe on all jobsites that remain open.
  • Should you be affected by any jobsite that temporarily halts operations, please contact your local business representative.
     

Training:

  • We have postponed the Apprenticeship Graduation Banquets. We will let you know as soon as they are rescheduled. If you were planning to attend, please contact your school.
  • Schools will be temporarily closed for a minimum of two weeks, beginning Monday, March 23.  This includes all journeyman upgrades, as well. We will notify everyone no later than April 2 to let you know when schools will be re-opened.
  • The Orientation at Ferndale scheduled for Friday, March 20 will be rescheduled for a future date. 
  • We have cancelled the currently scheduled Jump Start classes at Wayland for March and April.


Career Fairs:

  • We will be cancelling both of our scheduled Career Fairs. That includes the Career Fair on April 22 in Ferndale and April 28 in Wayland.


Union Meetings:

  • Governor Whitmer has temporarily banned gatherings of more than 250 people in one room.
  • The CDC has recommended that organizations limit gatherings to 50 people per room, although this is a recommendation, not the law.
  • We will do what we can to comply with the CDC’s recommendation by closing off the partitions in our union meeting areas or by spacing chairs 6’ apart.  
  • Please encourage members to stay home if they are feeling sick.


Council Offices:

  • At this time, the MRCC Council offices will remain open.
  • However, if any MRCC Staff member is feeling ill, please contact your immediate supervisor and stay home.
  • Remember that members can always pay dues online or over the phone.


We will continue to monitor this situation closely and will update you as necessary. This is not a time for panic but it is a time to take smart precautions, not just for our members but for our whole union family. Above all else, the most important thing we can do is to use common sense to limit our exposure to potential opportunities for infection.