New York, N.Y. (May 12, 2020) – The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, today announced its successful purchase and distribution of 20,000 N-95 respirator masks to front-line members across the United States. Additional masks have been procured and will be distributed in the coming weeks.

OPEIU acquired the protective masks to provide relief for front-line members, including healthcare professionals experiencing the highest levels of risk, helping to fill the workplace safety gaps left by a lack of federal guidance on workplace safety and by employers either unwilling or incapable of ensuring a safe work environment for their employees. Masks are being sent to OPEIU local unions throughout the country, from Hawai'i to Florida and spots in between.

Union members can contact MetLife Legal Plans Network Attorneys through July 31, 2020 for no charge advice, consultations and document review for many issues, including:

• Healthcare proxies or other estate planning
• Home refinancing or personal insurance forms
• Elder law questions for caregivers

Union members will also have access to MetLife Legal Plans Self-Help Document Library to complete wills, living wills and power of attorney docum

New York, N.Y. (May 1, 2020) – The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153 members at Kickstarter voted tonight to ratify a lay-off agreement with the crowdfunding company after CEO Aziz Hasan announced sweeping layoffs of up to 45 percent of employees.

The agreement won by Kickstarter United (KSRU) members outlines a range of procedures negotiated by the elected bargaining committee to help members impacted by layoffs, including:

•  Four months of severance pay for all laid-off employees;
• Four months of continued healthcare coverage for employees earning more than $110,001;
• Six months of continued healthcare coverage for employees earning $110,001 or less;
• Release from non-compete agreement upon accepting severance; and
• Recall rights of one year for members to return to any forthcoming job opening within their “classification,” and a number of other provisions.