Update on Flu Negotiations with UC
Teamsters met with the UC Office of the President (UCOP) on Oct 5 and 9 to discuss the mandated flu vaccine. UCOP made changes to the telecommuting language and addressed our concerns about the forms for religious accommodation that were being used on some of the campuses. UCOP is now “encouraging” but not requiring employees who work remotely to get the vaccine. UCOP still maintains that: “… any employee who must access any University facility are required to be vaccinated prior to coming on site.” Although the University made movement, mail carriers and couriers of all kinds can make incidental visits to UC campuses. UC workers should also be allowed to make incidental visits. The UC also developed a template form to apply for religious accommodations which replaces the various forms that were being used by individual campuses. If you have questions about a religious accommodation, you may refer to the EEOC website. www.eeoc.gov or https://www.eeoc.gov/foia/eeoc-informal-discussion-letter-250 Teamsters is continuing to fight for a personal exemption. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Union is also calling on UCOP to not only mandate but also to educate and provide extensive information about the importance of getting the flu vaccine this year – including websites as well as providing educational and informational materials at the worksite. If you believe you are eligible for a medical, disability, or religious accommodation, please read about the process at these links: Michael Drake’s Executive Order: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2020/08/img/2020-21-flu-vaccination-executive-order.pdf Medical Accommodation form (scroll to last page): https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2020/08/2020-21-flu-vaccination-executive-order.pdf Our Union’s next meeting with UCOP is on Oct. 19. |