Dear Sister, Brothers, and Local 34 Members,
Whether you are working at home or in the office, life just got a lot more complicated during these last few weeks. We are all learning to cope while we stay safe.
With a lot of scary news both in New Haven and around the world, there are many stories of people showing their generosity and kindness. We want to highlight just a few of the many stories going on and give them our appreciation. Today’s newsletter focus on workers who are going above and beyond to care for our community.
We’ve asked before about how far each of our paychecks go, just how many people it supports. We know that our union contract feeds children, grandparents, aunts & uncles, and friends—near and far. In these times we know that the demand is even greater, we’re reflecting on the power of our contract, we hope you do too.
Additionally, we want to let you know that we’ll be back to the table next week to sit down with Yale to discuss plans for after April 30. As always, we’ll share with you updates as we have them. If you know of anyone who still needs to sign up for our emails please direct them to local34.org/emailsignup.
In Solidarity,
Laurie Kennington, President Local 34–UNITE HERE!
Ken Suzuki, Secretary–Treasurer Local 34–UNITE HERE!
Call for Selfies!
Are you working on campus? Working at home? We want to see you in action! Send us your best selfie, whether you are on campus or at home, let us see what your work place looks like right now. Dogs, cats, kids, that COVID haircut (or lack thereof) are very much welcome!
Send your best shot to (203)376-8704 or email it to 34@yaleunions.org!
Yale Health Workers Stand Up Field Hospital in the Lanman Center
“At first it was just 50 bare beds and many boxes of supplies. When we finished up it looked like a real field hospital. We were honored to be a part of setting this all up.”
Dava Vitale is a clinical receptionist at Yale Health Pediatrics. Recently she helped to set up over 100 beds in the new field hospital in the Lanman Center at Payne Whitney Gymnasium. Along with her colleagues Dava unpacked endless boxes of supplies to make sure every bed had sheets, a toothbrush, toothpaste, hospital socks, body wash, shampoo, other toiletries, and medical supplies.
Now that the Lanman Center is ready for patients, Dava comes returns to campus at Yale Health once a week to help frontline workers. When she found out that Yale-New Haven Hospital would be taking the field hospital over Dava was relieved—she was glad that the beds would be going to help people not just in the Yale community, but our neighbors in the city and region.
Drama School C&Ts Make Masks & Shields
While the Yale Rep may be closed, and no students are currently performing on stage, Local 34 workers at the Drama School are busy working from home, making cloth face masks and plastic face shields.
Drama School C&Ts Clarissa Youngberg, and Ryan Gardner aren’t letting their skills go to waste. Along with their colleagues in the Costume Shop and Scene Shop, Clarissa and Ryan aim to build 1,000 masks and shields.
Built to spec from medical providers, they have been hard at work at home turning out PPE for staff at YNHH, CT Hospice, and others. Check out this story in the New Haven Arts Paper for more!
Do you have a project at home that is helping out in these times? Send us your photos or videos and we’ll share them!
Aches & Sprains in the Time of Coronavirus:
Working at the Orthopedic Urgent Care Clinic
As COVID-19 forces many to stay home, some are seizing the moment to tackle long put off home projects. As a result. some folks are getting injured! When that happens Amanda Otano, LPN, provides care for them at the new Orthopedic Urgent Care Clinic at 800 Howard Ave.
Responding to the COVID outbreak, Orthopedics has opened this temporary clinic to treat this uptick in injuries away from the main hospital and its population of COVID patients.
“Even with everything going on I still have had a good work life balance. When things were starting up my union steward had my back and has been communicating very well with me. If I had any questions someone would get back to me right away”
We ask everyone that if you decide to do some housework, please be careful to not injure yourself lest you want to see Amanda in action.
