In response to growing concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus, the University of California notified Teamsters of a number of temporary emergency actions related to Paid Leave and Remote Work Provisions.
Teamsters 2010 Representatives are working diligently to ensure that workers’ well-being is put at the forefront of the University’s plans during this public health crisis.
Our key demands to the UC are:
- Provide a minimum of 14 days paid leave, without impact on employees’ leave balances and benefits for employees who are unable to work due to their own or family member’s COVID-19 illness.
- Provide paid leave, without impact on employees’ leave balances and benefits for employees who are unable to work due to public health or University required quarantine.
- Provide a minimum of 14 days paid leave, without impact on employees’ leave balances and benefits to employees with children enrolled in a day care or school that has closed and that requires them to be home with their child (unless the employee is able to work from home).
- Cease and desist all threats of disciplinary action for “unauthorized” employees wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), provide adequate supplies and provision of PPE for employees while at work, provide fit-testing and training on PPE use in accordance with the law.
- Immediately implement telecommuting programs for all staff in which the nature of the work can be performed remotely. Allow employees to complete online training from home as part of their work duties.
- Cease and desist from threats of disciplinary action for “unauthorized” absences due to sickness.
- Establish protocols and safety measures for essential personnel who may be required to work in an emergency, even if the facility is closed in response to COVID-19.
- Ensure that employees are allowed to work and do not experience loss of pay and benefits due to any closures, cancellations, or slow-down in operations.
- Improve communication and provide rapid response and sharing of information with workers and Teamsters as the situation evolves.
During this stressful and rapidly changing situation, rest assured that as partners in national labor, health and safety and higher education coalitions, we will continue to compile and share the most up-to-date information, prevention strategies, and solutions. We will get through this crisis together.
Please continue to call your Union Representative with any questions, issues, concerns and new information.
The UC’s comprehensive coronavirus information website for employees is linked here.
