Thank you to all who participated in Thursday’s Tele-Town Hall. We are working our way through all of the messages you left and will reach out on an individual basis.
For those who weren’t on the call: I’m glad to announce that for those of you under the RAB contract, we just came to an agreement yesterday with the Realty Advisory board, which includes the following:
- Employers have agreed to be flexible in the use of paid leave. They will work with members who have concerns about reporting to work.
- If a member must quarantine due to an exposure at work, that member will get paid for any lost time during the 14 day quarantine period (without any time coming out of paid leave).
- Bumping is suspended for 30 days due to the evolving situation.
- Any member laid off on or after March 6 will have 60 days of healthcare continuation. This will apply even if you are covered by an independent contract.
And here are the answers to some of the questions that came up on yesterday’s call:
I am afraid I am going to get sick due to my work responsibilities. What can I do?
The union and employers have been in close contact since the beginning of the crisis in order to understand the enhanced cleaning protocols that need to be in place to keep our members safe. The protocols are fully in line with the guidance being sent from the CDC.
In the event that you believe the proper protocols are not being applied, please immediately contact your steward or union representative. In the event that there is a confirmed case in your building and you do not feel comfortable cleaning a particular floor, you may ask your supervisor to switch floors.
Please know that they may not be able to accommodate this request, however. In the event you do not feel comfortable cleaning a floor that has been contaminated, you may put in for a sick day.
I have been told to self-quarantine due to a work related exposure. Will I be paid?
Typical symptoms of COVID 19 include: fever, coughing, shortness of breath and pneumonia. You may have some or all of these symptoms. Immediately contact your health care provider and/or the department of health for testing information if you believe you have symptoms.
Do not go directly to the ER or medical provider. Call first. Stay home if you are sick, even if it with symptoms not commonly associated with COVID 19.
If you were exposed at the worksite and you are required to self-quarantine, you will be given two weeks paid time, without impact on your paid time off bank.
I have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and I need to self-quarantine. Will I be paid?
Immediately contact your health care provider and/or the department of health to determine if you should be tested and for testing information. Monitor yourself for symptoms- fever, cough, shortness of breath. You may utilize your PTO or statutory paid leave, if available.
There are reports of contamination in my building and I do not feel comfortable with this work assignment. Can I call out?
You may request your paid time off for this purpose.
According to CDC materials, I am “vulnerable” to the illness. I am over the age of 65 or I have an underlying health condition. Can I call out?
You may request your paid time off for this purpose You may also be eligible for FMLA. Contact your HR department for guidance on how to do this. (It is important to note that all underlying conditions may NOT be FMLA eligible.)
My child’s school has been closed/my dependent parent is no longer able to attend their program and I am unable to work at this time. What can I do?
You may request your paid time off for this purpose You may be eligible for FMLA. Contact your HR department for guidance on how to do this. If your child has special needs, you may be eligible for paid family leave. Contact your HR department for guidance on how to do this.
When your PTO runs out, you will be eligible for unemployment. New York State has waived the 7 day waiting period, making it easier than ever to apply for unemployment. Contact your HR department for guidance on how to do this.
I have been laid off and in need of support. Where can I go?
Health benefits: Health benefits typically continue for 30 days in the event of a lay off. However, we have reached an agreement with building owners to expand health benefits in the event of a lay off to 60 days.
In coming days and weeks, if additional work becomes available in other commercial office or residential buildings, the union, the RAB and employers will cooperate to offer temporary employment where possible.
New York State has waived the 7 day waiting period, making it easier than ever to apply for unemployment. Contact your HR department for guidance on how to do this.
At the state level, 32BJ is advocating for the expansion of other social safety net programs
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As this crisis continues to unfold, your union will have your back. These are deeply trying times, but together we will pull through. Thank you for everything you do to keep your buildings and your communities healthy and safe during this crisis.
In Solidarity,
Kyle Bragg
President, 32BJ SEIU
Gracias a todos los que participaron en la teleconferencia del jueves. Poco a poco vamos leyendo todos los mensajes y preguntas que nos dejaron ayer y responderemos caso por caso separadamente.
Para quienes no participaron en la llamada: Tengo el grato placer de anunciar que, para quienes forman parte del contrato con la Junta Asesora de Propietarios (RAB), recién ayer llegamos a un acuerdo con ellos que incluye lo siguiente:
- Los empleadores han acordado ser flexibles en el uso de la licencia con pago. Y colaborarán con aquellos miembros preocupados por reportarse al trabajo.
- Si se requiere que un miembro se ponga en cuarentena como resultado de una exposición en el trabajo, a ese miembro se le pagará por el tiempo perdido durante el período de cuarentena de 14 días (sin tener que utilizar días de la licencia pagada).
- Los empleadores han acordado suspender los desplazamientos (bumping) por 30 días.
- Cualquier miembro despedido a partir del 6 de marzo tendrá 60 días de continuación de atención médica. Esto se aplicará incluso si está cubierto por un contrato independiente.