Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo outlined additional guidelines for the phased plan to re-open New York on a regional basis on Tuesday. Each region of the state - Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, New York City, North Country, Long Island, Southern Tier and Western New York - must follow these guidelines as part of the re-opening plan.

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The personal safety and health of each employee is of primary importance. We believe that employees are our most important assets and that their safety at the worksite is our greatest responsibility. As such, the Empire Chapter is offering members a

Supplemental Health and Safety Plan to address Novel Coronavirus  

Click here for the word document

Click here for the PDF

Federal Agencies Issue COVID-19 Relief for Employee Benefit Plans

On April 28, 2020, the Departments of Labor (DOL) and the Treasury (Departments) issued deadline relief to help employee benefit plans, plan participants and plan service providers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Departments issued a final rule to provide plan participants with additional time to comply with certain deadlines affecting COBRA continuation coverage, special enrollment periods, claims for benefits, appeals of denied claims and external review of certain claims. With regard to disability, retirement and other plans, the final rule provides additional time for participants and beneficiaries to make claims for benefits and appeal denied claims.

According to the Departments, without the extension, individuals might miss key deadlines during the COVID-19 outbreak that could result in the loss or lapse of group health coverage or the denial of a valid claim for benefits.

The U.S. House of Representatives was originally scheduled to return next week, but without a firm deal in place to pass an additional recovery bill House Democrats have delayed their plans to return to D.C. while Congress and the Administration continue discussions surrounding the next package to address the ongoing health and economic crisis.

Virtual Safety Awareness Training

Statewide Director of Safety, Craft Training, and Workforce Development,

Jason Ashlaw is offering the following

Safety Awareness Trainings:

Silica Awareness : Tuesday, May 5th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Confined Space : Thursday, May 7th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Excavation Safety : Tuesday, May 12th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Stairs & Ladders Training : Thursday, May 14th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Cost: $80 per person, per course.

**Virtual training requires Laptop with a camera or smart phone with internet access

To register, contact Amy Platenik: [email protected] (585) 363-1657

Assemblyman Chris Tague Questions I-88 Construction PLA

A major multi-year repair project for Interstate-88 in Schoharie and Otsego counties is going forward despite the current economic crisis, but a local State Assemblyman is raising questions. Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-Schoharie, last week called for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to lift a requirement that contractors bidding for the project must comply with a project labor agreement (PLA). “At a time when the state is struggling financially, it makes no sense to burden such a necessary project with such a costly and legally-burdensome PLA requirement,” Tague said. “Our local contractors are hurting for work just as much as other working people in this state, and to put them on an unlevel playing field within the bidding process for a project in their own backyard which they could accomplish for less money is ridiculous."