In another example of the “war on workers,” Tennessee Representative Jeremy Durham (R-Franklin) introduces a bill denying the First Amendment right to free speech pertaining to a citizen’s right to picket. He makes it very clear his real reason for wanting to pass this bill when he quotes an article stating “Tennessee unions quietly added 31,000 members in 2013, representing the largest percentage increase in union membership in the country. I just feel like if that’s such a growing part of our economy that we need to take some preemptive measures.”
Author: paul
One of the smartest ways to improve America’s reliance on foreign sources of energy and protect the environment is through energy efficiency. Learn how SMART is on the cutting edge of new improvements in energy efficiency by viewing this video produced by our friends at the Blue Green Alliance.
In this video, SMART’s 3rd General Vice President David Zimmermann, talks about how SMART members are leading the way in developing news ways of tackling energy efficiency by repairing America’s buildings. That is why the new Local 36 building and training facility in St. Louis is a LEED Platinum building.
INTRODUCING THE UNION MEMBER ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR (UMAC) PROGRAM
On November 10, 2013, union representatives from twelve SMART local unions from around the country gathered together in Philadelphia, PA, to take part in a week-long training program. The training kicked off a pilot program designed to help union members and their families who are experiencing various forms of personal crisis. Once in place, the Union Member Assistance Coordinator, or UMAC, program will form a network of compassionate, respected, and competently trained union representatives who work together to assist our members and their families find assistance for struggles with depression, substance abuse and other mental health related issues.Union representatives assist members daily with issues such as travel pay or jurisdictional assignments, but these are relatively minor concerns when compared with a union member in personal crisis. The current recession that SMART members have been clawing out of has left an indelible mark on many of our members, and we thought: “Couldn’t we be doing more?”Many SMART local unions have contracted with third party Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which provide necessary professional help, but we needed to do more than just pass along an 800 number.
SMART Director of Education Chris Carlough put together a training program that was originally developed by Bobby Bonds, a specialist in the mental health profession from IQOL, LLC Consultants Philadelphia. Nationally recognized as a leader in crisis intervention, Bobby Bonds has trained more than 25,000 lay-professionals, volunteers, and mental health professionals in the United States and Europe to deal with workplace and family crisis interventions. “Bobby’s association with the transportation industry and the transportation trade unions spans a period of over 25 years. The majority of those years, Bobby has dedicated his career to developing and administering helping programs dealing with all aspects of members’ and their family’s well-being,” Carlough stated.
SMART predecessor organizations SMWIA and UTU have an impressive history with peer and member assistance programs. Today’s Union Member Assistance Coordinator program offers assistance and support for every facet of crisis that our members face, living the true meaning of “union family.” The coordinators in the UMAC program have close ties to members on and off the job. They see attitudes and behaviors as they develop and are therefore in a better position to detect a problem and take early action. As business agents, they have already earned the respect and trust of members and the union leadership. Their credibility, mixed with compassion and a deep understanding of a member’s situation, makes for a powerful combination that cannot be offered by any other professional.
The core components that comprise UMAC training are: Confidentiality, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Introspection of Oneself, Assessment of Crisis, Ethical Responsibility, Relapse and Follow-up, and Navigating through Health Care Plans.
The UMAC education program includes both theoretical knowledge and practice of basic skills necessary for crisis interventions. There are three distinct areas UMACs will play a vital role at SMART:
• Early Intervention—The UMAC recognizes the signs and symptoms of a variety of substance abuse and mental health problems. The UMAC will offer “emotional first aid” and develop a proactive intervention to help members deal with the problem. UMACs are always searching for ways to help the member find the best solution. The UMACs remain visible and accessible, and will demonstrate their concern around quality of life issues when a member or a member’s family is experiencing a crisis. The UMAC tries to help the local by helping the member identify a problem before it reaches a serious “crisis stage,” decreasing the hardship, complexity and consequences associated with problems left unchecked. By advocating earlier for the member, the UMAC helps avoid employer discipline, family complications, and disassociation with other members in the local.
• Understanding Member Benefit Plans—UMACs will be able to identify appropriate effective resources and direct members to help within the member’s eligible health plan. UMACs will network and have the ability to augment a member’s mental health plan with other supporting social services when necessary. Today’s mental health benefit plans are confusing and often prove difficult to navigate. Finding the appropriate treatment provider can become frustrating and exacerbates an already difficult situation. Many health plans have restrictions and only offer access to limited in-network providers. By understanding these constraints, UMACs will help the member search for all available resources and determine the best option for their specific needs.
• Follow-up—UMACs will be able to support the member when returning back to work and to assist in coordinating the member’s continuing care plan for a successful continuation of their recovery. Once a member completes their initial treatment, their re-integration back into their home and work life can offer some steep obstacles. The therapeutic value of one union member understanding and helping another union member is without parallel. This important support is often times the difference between a successful recovery and relapse. The UMAC can direct members to additional resources and provide them with the positive support and reinforcement every member needs in the early stages of ongoing recovery.
Core Skill Sets for a UMAC
• High credibility within the local
• Strong interpersonal and attentive listening skills
• Natural desire to help others
• Preferred elected union officer or agent
• Willingness to learn and availability of time
Program Goals
• Create direct access to union resources. “Promoted by members for members.”
• Establish a trusted gatekeeper for information/support and resources. “People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.”
• Provide confidential nonjudgmental union services to members. “Members who judge don’t matter, and members who matter don’t judge.”
• Heighten awareness and attention to health issues.
• Increase efficient utilization of eligible contracted benefit plans.
• Enhance the quality of life for SMART members.
UMAC Objectives
• Reduce relapse occurrences through case management, personal care, and follow-up.
• Provide broader access to member benefit plans through established relationships and trust.
• Inspire, incentivize, and motivate the member into positive lifestyle changes.
• Reduce the risk of a troubled member negatively impacting the workplace or home by creating a culture of positive and constructive intervention.
Every day we are working to make life more prosperous for our members. To know that we will also be there when our members are experiencing personal difficulties is comforting and very much appreciated. I applaud our business agents’ willingness to build for our organization this network of helpers. Their work will enhance our solidarity as a union and reflect our purpose as a caring organization in the truest spirit of unionism. The main reason most people seek help from a professional is not because they have a “problem” that has become insurmountable, but because the social supports in their social circles are no longer accessible or willing to provide the needed assistance.
CRISIS INTERVENTION IS NOT PSYCHOTHERAPY:
An important element in crisis intervention is remembering that crisis intervention is NOT psychotherapy. While it certainly contains psychotherapeutic elements, it is not therapy as practiced by licensed mental health clinicians. It may be thought of as a form of emotional first-aid. Thus, as physical first-aid is to the practice of medicine, crisis intervention is to the practice of psychotherapy.
“Just trying to get caught up after that intense week of training. It was a little overwhelming at times but worth every minute. I learned a lot and will be a better brother and agent because of it.„
Bob Greiner, Local 12 Business Representative
“I think the UMAC program is very good and all business agents should take the training.„
John Chase, Local 10 Business Representative
“The best potential benefit of the UMAC program is instructing the union leadership in how to get better at getting our members to take advantage of the resources that are already available.„
Buck Paulsrud, Local 10 Metro Apprentice Coordinator “The UMAC program will help us help our members through difficult times. Agents are, a lot of times, the first and last lines of defense in helping out our members.„
Dave Holzer, Local 10 Business Representative
“The notion of union brotherhood implies a sense of family. A sense of family implies a group of people who watch out for and help each other. That is what the UMAC program is all about.”
SMART Director of Education Chris Carlough put together a training program that was originally developed by Bobby Bonds, a specialist in the mental health profession from IQOL, LLC Consultants Philadelphia. Nationally recognized as a leader in crisis intervention, Bobby Bonds has trained more than 25,000 lay-professionals, volunteers, and mental health professionals in the United States and Europe to deal with workplace and family crisis interventions. “Bobby’s association with the transportation industry and the transportation trade unions spans a period of over 25 years. The majority of those years, Bobby has dedicated his career to developing and administering helping programs dealing with all aspects of members’ and their family’s well-being,” Carlough stated.
SMART predecessor organizations SMWIA and UTU have an impressive history with peer and member assistance programs. Today’s Union Member Assistance Coordinator program offers assistance and support for every facet of crisis that our members face, living the true meaning of “union family.” The coordinators in the UMAC program have close ties to members on and off the job. They see attitudes and behaviors as they develop and are therefore in a better position to detect a problem and take early action. As business agents, they have already earned the respect and trust of members and the union leadership. Their credibility, mixed with compassion and a deep understanding of a member’s situation, makes for a powerful combination that cannot be offered by any other professional.
The core components that comprise UMAC training are: Confidentiality, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Introspection of Oneself, Assessment of Crisis, Ethical Responsibility, Relapse and Follow-up, and Navigating through Health Care Plans.
The UMAC education program includes both theoretical knowledge and practice of basic skills necessary for crisis interventions. There are three distinct areas UMACs will play a vital role at SMART:
• Early Intervention—The UMAC recognizes the signs and symptoms of a variety of substance abuse and mental health problems. The UMAC will offer “emotional first aid” and develop a proactive intervention to help members deal with the problem. UMACs are always searching for ways to help the member find the best solution. The UMACs remain visible and accessible, and will demonstrate their concern around quality of life issues when a member or a member’s family is experiencing a crisis. The UMAC tries to help the local by helping the member identify a problem before it reaches a serious “crisis stage,” decreasing the hardship, complexity and consequences associated with problems left unchecked. By advocating earlier for the member, the UMAC helps avoid employer discipline, family complications, and disassociation with other members in the local.
• Understanding Member Benefit Plans—UMACs will be able to identify appropriate effective resources and direct members to help within the member’s eligible health plan. UMACs will network and have the ability to augment a member’s mental health plan with other supporting social services when necessary. Today’s mental health benefit plans are confusing and often prove difficult to navigate. Finding the appropriate treatment provider can become frustrating and exacerbates an already difficult situation. Many health plans have restrictions and only offer access to limited in-network providers. By understanding these constraints, UMACs will help the member search for all available resources and determine the best option for their specific needs.
• Follow-up—UMACs will be able to support the member when returning back to work and to assist in coordinating the member’s continuing care plan for a successful continuation of their recovery. Once a member completes their initial treatment, their re-integration back into their home and work life can offer some steep obstacles. The therapeutic value of one union member understanding and helping another union member is without parallel. This important support is often times the difference between a successful recovery and relapse. The UMAC can direct members to additional resources and provide them with the positive support and reinforcement every member needs in the early stages of ongoing recovery.
Core Skill Sets for a UMAC
• High credibility within the local
• Strong interpersonal and attentive listening skills
• Natural desire to help others
• Preferred elected union officer or agent
• Willingness to learn and availability of time
Program Goals
• Create direct access to union resources. “Promoted by members for members.”
• Establish a trusted gatekeeper for information/support and resources. “People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.”
• Provide confidential nonjudgmental union services to members. “Members who judge don’t matter, and members who matter don’t judge.”
• Heighten awareness and attention to health issues.
• Increase efficient utilization of eligible contracted benefit plans.
• Enhance the quality of life for SMART members.
UMAC Objectives
• Reduce relapse occurrences through case management, personal care, and follow-up.
• Provide broader access to member benefit plans through established relationships and trust.
• Inspire, incentivize, and motivate the member into positive lifestyle changes.
• Reduce the risk of a troubled member negatively impacting the workplace or home by creating a culture of positive and constructive intervention.
Every day we are working to make life more prosperous for our members. To know that we will also be there when our members are experiencing personal difficulties is comforting and very much appreciated. I applaud our business agents’ willingness to build for our organization this network of helpers. Their work will enhance our solidarity as a union and reflect our purpose as a caring organization in the truest spirit of unionism. The main reason most people seek help from a professional is not because they have a “problem” that has become insurmountable, but because the social supports in their social circles are no longer accessible or willing to provide the needed assistance.
CRISIS INTERVENTION IS NOT PSYCHOTHERAPY:
An important element in crisis intervention is remembering that crisis intervention is NOT psychotherapy. While it certainly contains psychotherapeutic elements, it is not therapy as practiced by licensed mental health clinicians. It may be thought of as a form of emotional first-aid. Thus, as physical first-aid is to the practice of medicine, crisis intervention is to the practice of psychotherapy.
“Just trying to get caught up after that intense week of training. It was a little overwhelming at times but worth every minute. I learned a lot and will be a better brother and agent because of it.„
Bob Greiner, Local 12 Business Representative
“I think the UMAC program is very good and all business agents should take the training.„
John Chase, Local 10 Business Representative
“The best potential benefit of the UMAC program is instructing the union leadership in how to get better at getting our members to take advantage of the resources that are already available.„
Buck Paulsrud, Local 10 Metro Apprentice Coordinator “The UMAC program will help us help our members through difficult times. Agents are, a lot of times, the first and last lines of defense in helping out our members.„
Dave Holzer, Local 10 Business Representative
“The notion of union brotherhood implies a sense of family. A sense of family implies a group of people who watch out for and help each other. That is what the UMAC program is all about.”
The SMART Convention will be held Monday, August 11th through Friday, August 15th, 2014 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. We have negotiated a convention hotel room rate of $159.00 per night plus tax. Please mark your calendars.
Each year, tens of thousands of American workers are made sick or die from occupational exposures to hazardous chemicals. While many chemicals are suspected of being harmful, OSHA’s exposure standards are out-of-date and inadequately protective for the small number of chemicals that are regulated in the workplace. To help keep workers safe, OSHA has launched two new Web resources.
The first resource is a step-by-step toolkit to identify safer chemicals that can be used in place of more hazardous ones. The Transitioning to Safer Chemicals Toolkit (https://www.osha.gov/dsg/safer_chemicals/index.html) provides employers and workers with information, methods, tools, and guidance on using informed substitution in the workplace.
OSHA has also created another new Web resource: the Annotated Permissible Exposure Limits (https://www.osha.gov/dsg/annotated-pels/index.html), which will enable employers to voluntarily adopt newer, more protective workplace exposure limits. Since OSHA’s adoption of the majority of its PELs more than 40 years ago, new scientific data, industrial experience, and developments in technology clearly indicate that in many instances these mandatory limits are not sufficiently protective of workers’ health.
“From steel mills to hospitals, from construction sites to nail salons, hazardous chemical exposure is a serious concern for countless employers and workers in many, many industries, in every part of this nation,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “With these new resources, OSHA is making sure that all business owners have access to information on safer exposure limits and safer alternatives to help protect their workers and their bottom lines.”
On September 11, the Carol Stream, IL, Fire Department marked the opening of its new 9/11 Memorial & Museum with a memorial ceremony. The Local 265 Labor Management Cooperative Committee (John Boske) partnered with Gengler Lowney Laser Works (Jack Gengler), a signatory contractor with Local 265, to contribute the two stainless steel plaques embedded in the floor of the museum. Gary Rasmussen, the local fire inspector, got the idea when he was doing a yearly inspection at Local 265 and saw a stainless steel plaque on the wall that Gengler Lowney Laser Works had also done.
Change is hard and for many it is difficult to accept. Change is not an event with an exact start and stop point; it’s a process. Each step you make, even if it’s a relatively small step, is still a step in the right direction, driving you closer to where you want to go. Sometimes the road ahead looks hazy and your footing may be unsure, but it is ludicrous to turn back when seeking out a destination— no matter how distant your destination may seem at times.
The changes we face now focus not just on the SMART Constitution which governs our combined organization, but also on the culture in which we operate. How this organization is run goes a long way in ensuring that it always serves the membership with integrity. Members cannot have confidence in an organization unless they are assured they have a voice in it. That is why, for those of you that know me, I try to adhere to as much transparency as possible, so that you as a member are kept both wellinformed and able to hold your leadership accountable.
SMART does not operate for the sake of its leaders. The leadership of this organization exists to represent all of us with integrity, honesty and to the best of our abilities.
It takes a lot of courage to move away from the security that comes with the way things had always been done before. But there is no real security in what no longer works to strengthen and advance this new union. The strength of SMART, and what will drive us to thrive in the future, comes from our ability to maintain the advances previous generations made and to build upon them. We deal with political, economic, and cultural challenges from all sides as our world changes every day. Sometimes we must adapt and change with it while staying true to the guiding principles of solidarity, strong representation and brotherhood that gave rise to our labor movement.
As you may already know, we recently completed our new Constitution, merging the former Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association and the United Transportation Union into SMART. While our merger has been complete for some time, this document unifies this great union and its members under a single Constitution.
In getting to this point, we examined and debated every constitutional section thoroughly before reaching agreement. At times, it required the help of an outside arbitrator to clarify a particular issue. While this slowed the process, it must be remembered the parties were tasked with combining 100 years of separate cultures and operations into a single Constitution that would govern our combined union while reflecting the practices and policies of both former organizations.
While the process may at times have been slow and laborious, we remain dedicated to working together to represent the best interests of members above all else.
An example of this is in the SMART General Executive Council (GEC) which is comprised of both sheet metal and transportation division General Vice Presidents. The GEC represents our diverse geographic, trade and work-related membership and acts as a check in many of the authorities assigned to the General President. Among these is the GEC’s Finance Committee which reviews the overall expenditures of the International Association including all personal expenditures of the General President and General Secretary-Treasurer. This sub-committee of the GEC also reviews the annual budget of the International including a separation of expenses by each department within the organization and makes recommendations to the full GEC who must approve the budget. This among many other oversight duties ensures accountability to the membership across all levels of the organization both now and in the future.
I urge all of you to view the SMART Constitution at www. smart-union.org/our-union/smartconstitution. Keep in mind that changes were made to the former UTU Constitution, now Article 21B of the SMART Constitution, where language within and the merger agreement dictated changes to comply with the SMWIA Constitution. In the near future we will also be posting a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to answer any questions about the new Constitution and upcoming SMART Transportation Division Convention in June and the SMART General Convention in August 2014.
It’s been a long and difficult process, and you deserve our gratitude for your patience. I look forward to moving our Union ahead united and stronger.
Fraternally,
Joseph J Nigro
General President
Matt Doehring, Business Manager of SMART Local 26 is a proud lifetime member of the community of Sparks, NV. Called the “Rail City,” Sparks is a medium-sized community with a proud railroad heritage. A vintage steam locomotive, cupola caboose, and Pullman executive car are displayed in the historic downtown, as well as a depot replica and a monument to the Chinese rail workers who toiled on the construction of the early rail lines.
Even with the day to day duties and responsibilities that come with being a Building Trades Business Manager, Local 26 Business Manager Matt Doehring coordinates efforts at the seasonal Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful Christmas tree recycling station, along with other Local 26 sheet metal workers. Recently, the Sparks Tribune recognized Doehring and Local 26 for its volunteer efforts on behalf of the community.
Doehring told the Tribune, “(I do) whatever I can do to try and make things the best possible under any circumstances. As you start to get older, you start to think about giving back…It just feels right.”
Doehring hopes to strengthen SMART’s ties to the local community, boost member morale, and inspire lasting volunteer efforts. “Everyone who comes to drop off their tree is always in a great mood. It’s just an overall fun day,” he said. “It makes my heart smile at the end of the day to know that I’ve given back to the community.”
Local 26 members have coordinated and participated in a number of volunteer events in addition to the tree drop-off, like the Washoe County School District book drive and the KTMB E-Waste recycling days.
Local 19 Wins Election at Singer Equipment Company
After a long fight with Singer Equipment Company— from the stipulation hearing to the ground campaign—Local 19 sheet metal workers recently won an election on December 19. The owner fought the whole way, but the workers stood strong, with a unanimous decision in the end.
According to Local 19 Business Manager Gary Masino, “We are looking forward to garnering a fair agreement for these workers and feel the possibility of attaining one is strong in this case.”
Singer Equipment Company is currently the fourth largest foodservice equipment dealer in the United States. Singer also provides kitchen equipment on a nationwide basis to chain restaurants and contract feeders.
WASHINGTON – On the floor of the U.S. Senate, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp Feb. 10 shared the heroic story of Geoff Andersen, an engineer in training for Burlington Northern Santé Fe railroad, from Larimore, N.D., whose actions during the recent train derailment near Casselton, N.D., prevented the dangerous explosions from the crash from spreading farther.
(Andersen is a member of SMART Transportation Division Local 525 at Grand Forks, N.D.)
As a former civilian firefighter for the Grand Forks Air Force Base, Geoff was quick to think of a plan to unhook remaining oil cars and pull them safely away from the explosion. Donning fire-fighting gear he borrowed from the Casselton Fire Department, Geoff bravely walked towards the fire to connect the tanker cars in danger of exploding to the rear facing locomotive and haul 25 cars away from the fire. Had it not been for Geoff, the explosions following the train derailment would have been much worse.
Click here for video of of Heitkamp telling Anderson’s story on the Senate floor.
Here are Sen. Heitkamp’s floor remarks to honor the heroics of Geoff Andersen:
Mr. President – I rise today to honor the heroics of Geoff Andersen, an engineer in training for Burlington Northern Santé Fe railroad whose bravery following the recent train derailment near Casselton, North Dakota, prevented the dangerous explosions from the crash from spreading farther.
For many of us in the Senate, the Casselton derailment has trained our focus on efforts to improve safety for the rail shipments of crude oil.
From increased track inspections to updated tanker car standards to the consideration of new routing options for crude shipments – all angles for improving the safety of crude rail shipments are being considered.
What should not be overlooked in our efforts, however, is the importance of skillful and well trained railmen on the lines. Railmen like Geoff Andersen are the backbone of the industry, and when one goes above and beyond the call of duty to prevent a disaster from spreading, they deserve to be recognized.
On December 30th, a grain train carrying soybeans to the Pacific Northwest derailed near Casselton, North Dakota.
An axel broke on a car near the middle of the train, forcing the car off the rail and onto the tracks of the adjacent line carrying trains in the opposite direction.
Conductor Bruce Anderson and Road Foreman of Engines Paul Douglas radioed the emergency to the oncoming train on the opposite tracks, but there was insufficient time to slow down the train heading their way.
In the brief moments following the derailment, an eastbound train carrying crude oil collided with the soybean car laying over the tracks and exploded.
Following the crash, Geoff and the entire crew from the westbound grain train sprang into action.
Immediately following the derailment Conductor Bruce Anderson went back and pulled approximately 50 cars away from the fire.
Recognizing the fire would soon spread to the remaining tanker cars, Geoff worked with Assistant Fire Chief Adrian Kieffer to hatch a plan to couple back onto the remaining oil cars and unhook the tanker cars and pull them away to safety.
Geoff – a former civilian firefighter for the Grand Forks Air Force Base – borrowed two radios and fire protection gear from the Casselton Fire Department. His Engineer and trainer, Tom Cooks, jumped into the rear engine of the train to reverse the locomotive towards the fire and connect the train to the tanker cars in danger of exploding.
Geoff, armed in fire protection gear, walked towards the fire to connect the train to the cars.
He then walked even closer to the fire to pull the pin on the closest tanker car within a safe distance, getting 25 more cars away from the fire.
Once the pin was pulled, Geoff radioed to Tom to pull the cars away.
Because of Geoff’s heroics, the dangers from the derailment were minimized and the explosions were isolated to the tanker cars adjacent to the derailments.
Had it not been for Geoff, this disaster would have been much worse.
I would like to take this time to thank not only Geoff Andersen – but all those involved in the response including Engineer Tom Cooks, Conductor Bruce Anderson, Road Foreman of Engines Paul Douglas, Casselton Fire Chief Tim McLean, and Casselton Assistant Fire Chief Adrian Kieffer – for their presence of mind and decisive action following the crash to minimize the damage from the derailment.
Coby Messier was employed as a sheet metal worker for over a decade before being laid off in May 2012. A Local 49 member, he began collecting unemployment insurance while he looked for work and was able to find another job in September of that year. Unfortunately, he was laid off once again in February 2013 due to a lack of available work and went on unemployment insurance to help make ends meet during his job search. On December 28, 2013, however, he was cut off from that vital economic lifeline when Congress failed to renew the program. Since then, his family has struggled to live on the salary of his wife, who serves as a public school teacher. Coby has been trying to start his own business, but that has been made more difficult since losing his unemployment insurance.
Brother Messier of Albuquerque was a guest of Congresswoman Lujan Grisham’s to President Obama’s State of the Union Address.
“The House of Representatives has taken 25 roll call votes since emergency unemployment insurance expired on December 28 of last year. Sadly, not a single one of those votes has been to restore this vital economic lifeline to the nearly 7,500 New Mexico jobseekers who have been left out in the cold,” Rep. Lujan Grisham said. “Every day that Congress fails to renew unemployment insurance, it harms more and more Americans just like my guest, Coby Messier – people who, in addition to fighting to find a job, now have to fight just to keep a roof over their head, feed their family and pay their bills. It’s long past time for Congress to stop putting New Mexico families in peril and do what’s right for our constituents, our communities and our economy.”
“I am honored that Congresswoman Lujan Grisham has invited me to attend the State of the Union Address on behalf of the nearly 7,500 New Mexico jobseekers who have lost their emergency unemployment insurance,” Mr. Messier said. “I want to thank Congresswoman Lujan Grisham for continuing to call for action on this important issue and for her tireless commitment to helping New Mexico families.”