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New Iberia, La. – More than 150 helicopter pilots and mechanics represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Locals 107 and 407 at Bristow Helicopters are shocked by the company’s unilateral decision, announced Wednesday afternoon, to close two Louisiana facilities in both New Iberia and Galliano, resulting in the loss of more than 350 good-paying, family-sustaining jobs.

In June, Bristow completed a merger with Era Group that brought together two workforces, the OPEIU pilots and mechanics at Bristow and nonunion pilots and mechanics at Era. OPEIU has initiated a process with the National Mediation Board for the union to represent a joint workforce of Era and Bristow pilots and mechanics.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s “compromise” to extend enhanced unemployment insurance by just one week is an insult to working people struggling to make ends meet. Call your senators today at (866) 832-1560 and tell them to protect working people and pass the HEROES Act.

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After months of sitting on his hands, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has finally released a proposal for COVID-19 relief. The package is called the HEALS Act, but unfortunately this poorly named bill will heal nothing and will only hurt working people and our families.

The relief package proposed by McConnell on July 27 is $2 trillion short and 73 days late. The bill drastically reduces the $600 in weekly unemployment benefits that thousands of America’s families are relying on right now. While the HEROES Act requires an emergency OSHA standard, McConnell’s proposal does nothing to keep workers safe and instead only protects corporations from liability. And during a time when millions of working people are without a job, health care or retirement security, the package also includes a bill from Sen. Mitt Romney that fast-tracks Social Security and Medicare cuts.