Dear Brothers & Sisters:
This bulletin is written to assist our Air Division members so everyone can better understand the TWU’s position on the Covid-19 vaccine distribution. The TWU is in contact with both the new Administration in Washington DC and is assisting our Locals at the state level to have all airline workers categorized as “1b”. Our current category is “1c”, which we believe is unjust for our Air Division members to not be viewed as “frontline” essential workers. While the CDC makes recommendations for vaccine distribution, each state currently has the ability to make improvements to the CDC guidance. In New York we were able to push for airline workers and in Illinois, so far Flight Crews, have been designated as “1b” by the Governors of these states. We encourage our Locals to unite their efforts and work together, along with the membership, in contacting their Governors and State Representatives both by phone and twitter. It is critical that state legislators hear from all of us, as their constitutes. We must push state legislators to move our membership, who encounter the traveling public frequently, from “1c” to “1b.”
To avoid any confusion, the TWU is recommending our members consider the seriousness of this virus and the continued risk associated with not getting the vaccine, and irrespective of the decision each member makes, we do agree it is the member’s choice of whether to receive the vaccine or not.As a point of information, current CDC recommendations for phase “1b and 1c” vaccine distribution:
Phase 1b
- Frontline essential workers such as fire fighters, police officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, United States Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the educational sector (teachers, support staff, and daycare workers.)
- People aged 75 years and older because they are at high risk of hospitalization, illness, and death from COVID-19. People aged 75 years and older who are also residents of long-term care facilities should be offered vaccination in Phase 1a.
Phase 1c
- People aged 65-74 years because they are at high risk of hospitalization, illness, and death from COVID-19. People aged 65-74 years who are also residents of long-term care facilities should be offered vaccination in Phase 1a.
- People aged 16-64 years with underlying medical conditions which increase the risk of serious, life-threatening complications from COVID-19.
- Other essential workers, such as people who work in transportation and logistics, food service, housing construction and finance, information technology, communications, energy, law, media, public safety, and public health.
Fraternally,
Gary Peterson
International Vice President
Air Division Director