Media Center

Representatives from 13 OPEIU local unions and aviation bargaining units in the U.S. and Canada’s helicopter and emergency rescue industry met Sept. 28-30 in Chicago to discuss and plan future organization within OPEIU. The representatives of the former Professional Helicopter Pilots Association (PHPA) voted to dissolve the organization as it stands. The broader group then voted to establish the OPEIU Aviation Council to include all bargaining units under one umbrella – pilots, SARs, AMEs, flight medical personnel, dispatchers, flight instructors, weather personnel, etc. This new council will work to support our membership regarding collective bargaining, safety, job security, organizing new units and resources to meet challenges facing our industries. The group left energized and looking forward to working together to strengthen the representation of our members and fighting to improve the wages and working conditions of all people working in our represented groups.

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In Boston, 14 percent of drive time is spent in bumper-to-bumper traffic, giving the city a reputation for having the nation’s worst gridlock. Still, each day, Sharon Matthews makes the commute from her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts to her job at the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court.

Matthews, who is a member OPEIU Local 6, helms the Court’s payroll, budget and procurement department. Along the way, she’s earned the trust of her colleagues, who also come to her with HR-related issues. She tries to get to as many union meetings as is possible for her, given her busy schedule.

“You never know what’s going to happen in my job,” says Matthews. “It’s something different every day.”

OPEIU members are always there to help our sisters and brothers in need, from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina in 2005, Sandy in 2012 and Harvey, Irma and Maria last year, we are proud that OPEIU members came forward and did all they could to help those affected.

Now it is our sisters and brothers in the Carolinas and Virginia who need our help. Hurricane Florence has unleashed monumental destruction in both coastal and inland areas. The resulting downpours and surging rivers have caused untold damage in affected areas.

OPEIU members in Boston also have experienced property loss following the gas explosions of a few weeks ago. And some of our California sisters and brothers have seen loss due to recent wildfires.

You’ve been extremely generous in the past, and we know we can count on you again.

And now your contribution will go even further! OPEIU is making an initial contribution of $10,000 to the OPEIU Relief Fund and will match dollar for dollar all member and local union contributions, up to an additional $50,000.

This means your contribution will be doubled and will do even more to help our sisters and brothers in need.