October 2020 • Vol
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CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 EXPRESS Your Union Newsletter October 2020 • Vol. 25, No. 9 Message from CSEA Local 830 President Ron Gurrieri Important information about COVID-19 leave laws Dear Members, complicated federal and state leave laws that date information from CSEA Local 830. were enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. n lieu of my regularly scheduled column I hope everyone is staying safe and as always, We Are Nassau Strong Ithis month, please enjoy this informative if you haven’t already, please make sure to sign piece written by CSEA Local 830 Vice President up for our email blast at www.CSEA830.org in Ron Gurrieri Glen Tuifel that attempts to sort out the various order to have access to all of the most up-to- CSEA Local 830 President had to take time off due to a COVID-19 related benefits under the FFCRA: the Emergency Paid Sick Leave 6) The employee is experiencing any other substantially “Iillness, quarantine, or isolation and I am so confused Act (EPSLA) and the Emergency Family Medical Leave similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and about what laws apply to my leave entitlements.” Over Expansion Act (EFMLEA). Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of the the last several months, we have been hearing this type All Emergency Responders, as previously defined are Treasury and the Secretary of Labor. CSEA is unaware of of statement from many of the members. To be honest, exempt from EPSLA, which provides for up to 14 days of any conditions which currently meet this requirement. it took us some time to get familiar with these laws, but fully paid sick leave without charge to leave accruals, or hopefully, we can make these complex issues as simple as for part timers,their 14-day equivalent for the following 3 Under scenarios (4), (5), and (6) an employee is eligible possible for everyone to understand. qualifying reasons: for 2/3 of his/her regular rate of pay, up to $200 daily and There are both state and federal laws that affect $2,000 total. Under EFMLA for only reason (5) above, COVID-19 related leave, and they are all explained below 1) The employee is subject to a federal, state, or local employees are eligible for an additional 10 weeks of paid - but as always, please call the Local 830 Office with any quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19. You sick leave and expanded family and medical leave which is specific questions, as each situation is unique. must obtain and keep a copy of this directive. paid at 2/3 of his/her regular rate of pay, up to $200 daily NYS COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave provides up to 14 2) The employee has been advised by a health care and $12,000 total. For EFMLA leave, the employee should calendar days of fully paid sick leave without charge provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related be aware that the first 10 days of this leave are unpaid, but to leave accruals (or for part timers, their 14-day to COVID-19. You must be able to provide the name, the employee may choose to utilize their leave entitlements equivalent). However, to qualify for this paid leave you address, and phone number of this health care provider, during this 10-day period. must have had a mandatory or precautionary order of and if possible, get these medical directions in writing. CSEA Local 830 is aware of Nassau County’s practice quarantine or isolation from the Health Department, or 3) The employee is experiencing symptoms of of denying earned CBA leave entitlements (½ Vacation any other governmental entity authorized to issue such COVID-19 and is seeking a medical diagnosis. You must and ½ Sick per pay period) for many of our members who an order. To use and access NYS COVID-19 Paid Sick again be able to provide the name, address, and phone have utilized some of these COVID-19 leave laws, and we Leave, you must not be eligible for Federal Paid Sick number of this health care provider, and if possible, these are pursuing a class action grievance on behalf of all these Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act medical directions in writing. affected members. Additionally, this class action grievance (“FFCRA,” discussed below). This exclusion applies to Under scenarios (1), (2), and (3), your leave is paid will cover the modification of leave progression dates our “Emergency Responders,” which Nassau County without charge to leave entitlements up $511 daily and (your anniversary date) for a multitude of members. has defined as all employees who work for Offices of $5,110 total. These cases are working their way through our Emergency Management (OEM), Fire Commission, grievance process and will likely take some time for a Health Department, Medical Examiner, Probation 4) The employee is caring for an individual who is final resolution, so please stand by. Additionally, in the Department, Police Department, Department of Public subject to an order as described in (1) or has been advised event that your particular Department does not appear to Works, Sheriff’s Department, and the Correctional Center. as described in (2). You must obtain and keep a copy of be following these laws, document all information, and All employees in these Departments are excluded by law this directive or be able to provide the name, address, and contact our Grievance Department to review your issues, from receiving FFCRA leave, and as such, the only venue phone number of this health care provider, and if possible, so that we may initiate a case on your behalf. For all of for this paid leave benefit for the Emergency Responders is get these medical directions in writing. these laws, CSEA understands that there may be some the NYS Law. 5) The employee is caring for a son or daughter of confusion, and we are here to discuss your particular The Federal Law — Families First Coronavirus Relief such employee if the school or place of care of the situation and offer our advice. Please call us at Act (FFCRA) — provides for up to 14 days of fully paid son or daughter has been closed, or the child care (516) 464-CSEA. sick leave without charge to leave accruals, or for part provider of such son or daughter is unavailable due to timers, their 14-day equivalent during the periods from COVID-19 precautions. Again, maintain as much written — Glen Tuifel, CSEA Local 830 Vice President 4/01/20 through 12/31/20. There are two types of leave documentation of this situation as is possible. 2 EXPRESS CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 UNION MEMBER NEWS The Work Force Nassau County needs to invest in CSEA NASSAU COUNTY LOCAL 830 EXPRESS public safety officers September 2020 • Vol. 25 No. 8 rguably, one of the best values for the county taxpayer incidents have been known about as these public safety A Monthly Publication of CSEA Nassau County Local 830 dollars are Nassau County Public Safety Officers! officers have considered it all in a day’s work. RON GURRIERI, President A Garrett Wakefield, Editor of the Express Public safety officers are tasked with 24/7 patrol of all Some of their valiant efforts include reuniting lost children (516) 464-CSEA Ext. #17 county buildings and county parks. Seems simple when it with families, discovering homicide victims from gang cases csea830.org is summed up, but let’s take a closer look: Nassau County and much more. These public safety officers also address manages more than 70 parks, preserves, museums, historic issues concerning many homeless people that many residents NASSAU LOCAL 830 Executive Officers: properties, and athletic facilities comprising of 6,000 acres are not even aware of, especially in the winter months as they RON GURRIERI, President SCOTT MULHOLLAND, Executive Vice President throughout the county. Taking it further, they also secure all go to lock up the restrooms in the parks. LYNNE KRAMER, 1st Vice President county government buildings, county courthouses and more. Also in the parks, officers face issues such as people setting ROBERT ARCIELLO, 2nd Vice President ANA O’GORMAN, 3rd Vice President However, like many other county departments, they are fire to county property and more. RICHARD DOPKIN, 4th Vice President understaffed. Currently, there is a hiring freeze as a result Armed with just a radio and a flashlight, these public GLEN TUIFEL, 5th Vice President KELVIN LEWIS, 6th Vice President of COVID-19. Unfortunately, that does not change the fact safety officers go out every shift to help improve and protect YVETTE GAYNOR, 7th Vice President that many county departments have requested and even won Nassau County. For many of these public safety officers, this JOHN ALOISIO III, 8th Vice President AURORA SCIFO, 9th Vice President grievances to get public safety officers stationed outside their may be their second career or even the beginning of a new ROBERT HARRIS, 10th Vice President JASON PERKOWSKY, 11th Vice President offices. They also perform TSA-type bag searches at Traffic career. They make a huge contribution to our county and we NANCY IANSON, Secretary Court, Social Services, County Clerk and Probation. need the county to make an investment in our public safety SUSAN CHODKOWSKI, Treasurer Through the years, the Nassau County Public Safety officers with pay and promotions. Unit Presidents/Executive Board: Officers have done an outstanding job. In some cases, Thank you to the current public safety officers and those JOHN ALOISIO III, Treasurer’s Office ROBERT ARCIELLO, Deputy Sheriffs their work has even been heroic in nature, but few of these who have retired.