stimulus bill prevents layoffs yet joseph cairo

and kevin mccaffrey digned writing to rid nassau otb collective bargaining agreement of no layoff clause without s vote by members. just ask union lawyer christopher baluzy.

Updated Mar 26, 2020 - Politics & Policy

How the coronavirus stimulus bill helps you

Alayna Treene

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Congress' $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package is the rare legislative agreement that will have an immediate — and lasting — impact on ordinary citizens across the country.

Why it matters: The 883-page bill, titled the "CARES Act," includes thousands of dollars in direct payments to most Americans, and huge loan packages designed to help keep small businesses and corporations afloat.

Here's what's in the bill:

• Direct payments: Americans will receive a one-time direct deposit of up to $1,200, and married couples will get $2,400, plus an additional $500 per child. The payments will be available for incomes up to $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples. This is true even for those who have no income, rely on Social Security benefits, or whose income comes entirely from non-
• taxable, means-tested benefit programs.
• Use of retirement funds: The bill waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty for distributions up to $100,000 for coronavirus-related purposes, retroactive to Jan. 1.
• Small businesses: $350 billion is being dedicated to prevent layoffs and business closures while workers have to stay home during the outbreak. Companies with 500 employees or fewer that maintain their payroll during coronavirus can receive up to 8 weeks of cash-flow assistance. If employers maintain payroll, the portion of the loans used for covered payroll costs, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities would be forgiven.
• 
  
  
  -----Original Message-----
  From: pointreyes <pointreyes@verizon.net>
  To: JoshLafazan <JoshLafazan@gmail.com>
  Sent: Sun, Mar 29, 2020 08:26 PM
  Subject: Fwd: Re: : U-37114 - Local 707 & NROTB (Jackson Leeds )
  
  
  
  
  
  
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Christopher Baluzy <CBaluzy@carykanelaw.com>
  To: Angela Blassman(PERB) <ablassman@perb.ny.gov>; pointreyes@verizon.net <pointreyes@verizon.net>; wdewitt@beereadylaw.com <wdewitt@beereadylaw.com>
  Sent: Sun, Mar 29, 2020 06:10 PM
  Subject: Re: : U-37114 - Local 707 & NROTB (Jackson Leeds )
  
  
  

  Dear Judge Blassman,

  
  

  It has come to our attention that the petitioner Mr. Leeds posted the call-in information for tomorrow’s conference for the general public, please see this link:http://nassauotb.blogspot.com/2020/03/josepgh-g-cairo-wipes-out-otb-no-layoff.html?m=1 (a copy of the link is also attached as a PDF).

  
  

  This is highly inappropriate. The respondent Local 707 requests an order requiring Mr. Leeds to remove the post plus additional sanctions you may deem appropriate, including the dismissal of this action.

  
  

  Thank you for your consideration.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  From: Angela Blassman <ablassman@perb.ny.gov>
  Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 7:59 PM
  To: "pointreyes@verizon.net" <pointreyes@verizon.net>, William DeWitt <wdewitt@beereadylaw.com>, Christopher Baluzy <CBaluzy@carykanelaw.com>
  Subject: Re:: U-37114 - Local 707 & NROTB (Jackson Leeds )

  
  

   Please see the attached letter.  PERB’s offices are closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.  Therefore, the March 30, 2020 in-person conference has been converted into a telephone conference. 

  
  

  As a courtesy, Mr. Baluzy has offered the use of his office’s conference call service.  Therefore, the parties shall participate in the telephone conference by calling the following telephone number and using the following code at the scheduled time and date: 

    

  Conference call number – 1-800-544-4579 – code 04037832

  
  

  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

  
  

  Angela Blassman

  Administrative Law Judge

  New York State Public Employment Relations Board

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  Disclaimer

  Please be advised that this transmittal may be a confidential attorney-client communication or may otherwise be privileged or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy or re-transmit this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us by e-mail (ghewitt@carykane.com) or by telephone (call us collect at 212-868-6300) and delete this message and any attachments.
  
  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.
• The unemployed: The program's $250 billion extended unemployment insurance program — "unemployment on steroids," as Sen. Chuck Schumer calls it — expands eligibility and offers workers an additional $600 per week for four months, on top of what state programs pay. It also extends UI benefits through Dec. 31 for eligible workers. The deal applies to the self-employed, independent contractors and gig economy workers.
• Hospitals and health care: The deal provides over $140 billion in appropriations to support the U.S. health system, $100 billion of which will be injected directly into hospitals. The rest will be dedicated to providing personal and protective equipment for health care workers, testing supplies, increased workforce and training, accelerated Medicare payments, and supporting the CDC, among other health investments.
• Coronavirus testing: All testing and potential vaccines for COVID-19 will be covered at no cost to patients. 
• Large corporations: $500 billion will be allotted to provide loans, loan guarantees, and other investments, overseen by a Treasury Department inspector general. These loans will not exceed five years and cannot be forgiven. 
• Airlines will receive $50 billion (of the $500 billion) for passenger air carriers, and $8 billion for cargo air carriers.
• Payroll taxes: The measure allows individuals to delay the payment of their 2020 payroll taxes until 2021 and 2022.
• States and local governments will get $150 billion, with $8 billion set aside for tribal governments.
• Agriculture: The deal would increase the amount the Agriculture Department can spend on its bailout program from $30 billion to $50 billion, according to a press release issued by Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.)

The timing: The Senate passed the bill late Wednesday night.

• House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says the House plans to vote on the package via a voice vote on Friday. This gives members who wish to debate the bill in person the option to do so, while also enabling those unable to return to Washington during coronavirus an option to stay in their home districts.

Go deeper: 

• Read the 883-page bill.
• Read summaries of the bill's tax, unemployment, small business, health and "distressed" industries policies.
• Senate passes the stimulus package

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest details.

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