Laurels & lances: Pulling together
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Laurel: To reaching out while staying in. Carla Chugani of Dormont isn’t letting social distancing keep her from helping people during the coronavirus pandemic. She’s doing it by creating her own free food pantry on her porch, in the style of Little Free Libraries.
Stocked with things like nonperishable foods, paper products and other necessities, Chugani’s initiative has inspired others. After a share on a Dormont-area Facebook group, donations started coming in.
Now people in need are able to come to Chugani’s Belrose Avenue porch and find things like applesauce and juice boxes.
The nature of the project also lets people get help without coming into contact with others, proving you don’t have to be in touch to lend a hand.
Laurel: To getting things done. Labor contracts are the kind of thing that can drag on sometimes as the two sides quibble over details and fine print as much as big issues. So kudos to Allegheny Technologies Inc. and the United Steelworkers union for agreeing to a yearlong extension of the contract that will take them through Feb. 28, 2021.
ATI said the move was in response to the coronavirus pandemic and its worldwide impact on people and business.
The move preserves jobs in an uncertain time. That’s good for the employer, the employees and the community.
Laurel: To good communication. We have already taken the state and federal government to task for how they are conveying information about what is happening while responding to covid-19. Now it’s time to look more locally. Some municipalities and school districts are doing a good job with this.
New Kensington-Arnold School District, for example, is dealing with a sick staff member. The district has been very responsive and is posting regular updates. Things haven’t been perfect, but after a rocky start following a band trip to New York early in March, the district seems to have learned that people appreciate answers.
Let’s hope that attitude is contagious.
Laurel: To real appreciation. We all have to show our support for the people on the front lines of this struggle, and sometimes those are the checkout lines.
The people who are still going to work every day at grocery stores are among those who make staying at home possible by maintaining the ability to get the things we need. Giant Eagle’s decision to honor that service with $10 million in bonuses to its employees shows a company’s commitment to both the communities and the workers.