‘Union Blitz’ COVID-19 vaccination effort begins delivering second round of shots this week

The “Union Blitz” COVID-19 vaccination effort to get shots into the arms of union members and their families begins delivering the second part of the two-part vaccinations this week at Machinists District 9 hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton.

Union members and their families who received a first vaccination dose at the earlier clinics, will receive their second doses on the following schedule:

• May 6 – Machinists District 9 members and spouses who received their first shot on April 15.
• May 11 – Union members, families who received their first shots on April 20.
• May 18 – Union members, families who received their first shots on April 27.

The union vaccination effort started when nearly 500 Machinists and spouses were vaccinated on April 15, followed by another 300 union members and spouses who received their initial vaccination on April 20.

The “Union Blitz” program is the result of the highly successful initial vaccination effort by Machinists District 9 for its members and spouses that started with the April 15 clinic and was then picked up by the St. Louis Labor Council and St. Louis Building Trades Council in coordination with Fire Fighters Local 2665 and the Pattonville Fire Protection District.

Following the success of the April 15 program, District 9 Directing Business Representative Dave Weaver, in coordination with Local 2665 and the Pattonville Fire Protection District, contacted Labor Council President Pat White about the success in getting members vaccinated.

White coordinated with Building Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer John Stiffler to launch the broader union vaccination program for all union members and their spouses.

The first Labor-wide vaccination clinic was held April 20 at Machinists District 9 hall in Bridgeton. A second event was held at the hall on April 27.

White said additional Labor vaccination clinics could be held, if demand warrants. However, with vaccinations now available to everyone 16 and older at several mass vaccination sites across the St. Louis metropolitan area, a fourth Labor-target clinic is not expected to be necessary.