Teamster Victory: Thomas Fire Victims at UCSB Win Paid Time

UNION PRESSURE CREATES VICTORY FOR WORKERS’ SAFETY

After intense pressure from Local 2010, UCSB Chancellor announced that all campus employees will receive two days of administrative leave with pay due to the devastating effects of the Thomas Fire.

“Our Union is based on the foundation of solidarity and support for our fellow workers,” said Jason Rabinowitz, Teamsters Local 2010 Secretary-Treasurer.  “Through our unity, we achieved a huge victory that will benefit the entire Santa Barbara community.”

Local 2010 members presented Chancellor Yang with a grievance last week protesting the UC’s placing of workers in an unsafe environment and calling to make whole those who were forced to take time off.

“This tragedy has caused tremendous stress on my colleagues and our community,” said Gabe Contreras, Library Assistant at UCSB. “Some of us have had no choice but to miss work to monitor the advancing flames surging towards our homes.”

If your situation requires more than two days, please contact your department and ask for administrative leave with pay for any additional days needed.  Other work accommodations may be available.  Please contact your Union Representative if you have any problems.

The Central Labor Council has set up a fund for those affected by the fire. If you’ve lost your home and/or been displaced, click here to let them know and apply for assistance: https://goo.gl/uYQpyr.

Thank you to all of our UCSB members who kept up the fight and made this victory possible. When we stand together, we win together.