The local will assist in all hardships on a needs basis. Needs basis is defined as followed:

 

The policy of the Community Services Committee Counselors for recommending assistance is within the framework of the established purpose of the Members' Relief Fund.

 

All questions regarding eligibility for assistance must be based on actual hardship needs of the individuals and that all other means for assistance have been exhausted.

 

        1.     Food Assistance Policy

 

a.     Necessary food assistance may be granted by the Local to eligible strikers. The Local shall establish the guidelines for payment of such assistance in each strike situation in accordance with the uniform plan established by the unit. 

 

Note . . . All payments are contingent upon the availability of funds in the Local's account at the time of the strikers’ request. 

 

b.     No food assistance shall be granted from the Members’ Relief Fund until after the first fifteen (15) calendar days of a strike.

       

        2.     Utility Policy

 

The Local Community Services Committee shall assist strikers in attempts to defer payment of all utility bills such as water, fuel, and electricity.  After the first thirty (30) calendar days of a strike, Counselors may recommend, where necessary, payment of such bills which cannot be deferred, in order to prevent termination of service.

 

Note. . . All payments are contingent upon the availability of funds in the Local's account at the time of the strikers' request.

 

3.      Rent, Lodging, and Mortgage Payment Policy

 

The Local Community Services Committee shall assist strikers in attempts to defer payment of rent and mortgage payments. After the first thirty (30) calendar days of a strike, Counselors may recommend, where necessary, payment of such items in those cases where all else has failed and foreclosure is about to be enforced.

 

Note . . . All payments are contingent upon the availability of funds in the Local's account at the time of the strikers' request.

 

        4.     Automobile Mortgage Policy

 

The Local Community Service Committee shall assist strikers in attempts to defer payment of automobile mortgage payments.  After the first sixty (60) calendar days of a strike, Counselors may recommend, where necessary, payment of extension costs, interest, or full payment for one month, where all else has failed and in order to prevent repossession.

 

Note . . . All payments are contingent upon the availability of funds in the Local's account at the time of the strikers' request.

 

        5.     Insurance Policy

 

An attempt shall be made by the Local with the employer or the insurance companies, as appropriate, carrying hospitalization, accident, and life insurance coverage on our strikers to keep such coverage in force without premium payments during the period of the strike.  A Local may seek international assistance where contacts with top company negotiating personnel may be needed.

 

 

6.      Medical Assistance Policy

 

The Community Services Committee shall determine the necessity for granting assistance for drugs and prescriptions not otherwise obtainable for strikers or their immediate family.  Payment for such assistance may be made by the Local from the Members' Relief Fund.

 

Note. . . All payments are contingent upon the availability of funds in the Local's account at the time of the strikers' request.

 

        7.     Striker Assistance Records

 

The Community Services Committee shall maintain a striker assistance record card (DFR‑4) or equivalent record on each striker requesting assistance. You may order the DFR-4 card from the Headquarters Stockroom.  The record card is confidential and combined assistance recorded on one form is invaluable to the CSC Counselors during the period of the strike. The card includes a sample code for posting to the record card the various items the striker may receive during the period of the strike.

 

Reminder:  A Local shall not receive funds greater than the amount designated per striker times the number of strikers in the Local.

 

        8.     Procedure to Process Applicants for Assistance

 

Every Local shall develop a method of processing applicants, in accordance with the directions given by the District Defense Fund coordinator. Copies of the procedure developed by the Local or Locals should be furnished to all CSC members. Copies of these Rules should be reproduced and furnished to CSC members before strikers apply for assistance.

 

        9.     Necessity

 

a.      The most difficult part of a Counselor’s job is the determination of the existence of “necessity” associated with a striker's application for assistance. Each application for assistance must be recorded on an “Application for Assistance” form (DFR-5).  You may order this form from the Headquarters Stockroom.  Based on the answers obtained from the striker, plus information stemming from later investigations, a Counselor shall make recommendations as to whether or not there is a need for assistance.  Points to be considered are included on the front of the form, which must be dated and signed by the striker to qualify for assistance.  The mere fact that a bill is due does not by itself make it "necessary" that it be paid from the Members' Relief Fund.

 

                                Because of limited availability of funds, the following criteria should be  taken into account when establishing need:

       

                        1.     Is there other family income?

 

                        2.     Does a striker have readily accessible assets?

 

                        3.     Can a loan be obtained?

 

                        4.     Is the striker currently employed?

 

5.                Can the striker defer payments or extend credit?

 

b.      Counselors shall use the back of the form to record their recommendations. Counselors should take into consideration the time limits and allowable items set forth in these Rules and the existence or degree of "necessity" when making their recommendations. Counselors may recommend payments, or partial payments for those items covered under Section D, Items 1 thru 6.  Counselors also may reject all or any part of a striker's application for assistance based on the absence or degree of “necessity.”  In the case of such rejections, a striker should be referred to the other CSC subcommittees as appropriate.

 

c.      Counselors should keep in mind that Members’ Relief Fund money cannot be spent unless and until all other means and methods for                             assistance have been exhausted and a real and actual case of hardship or “necessity” has been developed.

 

          10.  Assistance Program Notification to Represented Workers

 

It is important that Members’ Relief Fund assistance be discussed at Local membership meetings before a strike gets underway.  In preparation for a strike, a notice should be sent to all strikers and agency-fee payers explaining what assistance is available.  The notice should advise where the striker can apply for assistance, the procedure for applying, and the requirements to qualify for assistance.  To prevent strikers from all showing up on one day, the notice should contain instructions that assign strikers by groups on separate days based on the alphabet listing of their last names.  For example:  A through C on Monday, D through J on Tuesday, K through M on Wednesday, N Through R on Thursday, and S through Z on Friday.  Each Local membership roster should be averaged out to cover a five (5) day period.  The CSC and Strike Counselors have one of the hardest and longest assignments.  So, it is  recommended that Locals adopt a procedure that reduces the chance of all strikers showing up at the same time.