| OSA Newsline -- April 27, 2020
We did not have much to do with contract negotiations last week. We are still awaiting a reply from our last conference call. The City representatives did call after 5PM on Friday, to hold out some hope for the week.
Their technical folks are meeting on Monday, so we can and will continue to hope for a settlement.
Meanwhile, there was a new development related to the virus crippling our City. The Corrections Department is trying out a new machine at Rikers Island. As you pass through it, your temperature is taken to see if you are at 100.4 degrees. At that point or higher, you trigger an alarm and you are sent for further screening.
Since we are now told that the Coronavirus may be with us for a year or more, such machines, if they work, may become widespread as a way to screen for illness.
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There were phone and email negotiations related to our contract last week, but no answer yet. Our City representatives are trying to complete the process, but the distractions of responding to the coronavirus are real enough at present.
On that topic, the Municipal Labor Committee has asked the City to extend family health coverage for an extra month in cases where one of our members dies during this time period.
Families can buy COBRA (Continuing Benefits) in any case, but adding a one month grace period before the need to buy COBRA seems reasonable at this strange time.
The MTA has already chosen to provide an increased $500,000 death benefit. This will apply to OSA members in Transit as well.
The Municipal Labor Committee is seeking to obtain similar benefits for those of our members struck down at this time.
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We are waiting upon the City's response to our negotiations.
Meanwhile, Ron Lehman, Alice Moise and Sharon Jack were able to learn that alternate work schedules are available and being allowed during the crisis by some Health+Hospitals locations. Queens Hospital Center was clear on this and the Central Office of Labor Relations for NYC H+H has confirmed it.
"Each location's management can make decisions on alternate work schedules as needed at their location, for staff coverage to accomplish their missions through this pandemic. The decision is up to them."
Members seeking to take advantage of this flexibility can start by speaking to their superiors. If there is a problem, the union may be able to help.
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The City has updated their guidance for employees affected by the Coronaviris. Details are to be found in the page of Coronavirus Info and Resources you can reach by clicking the button on main page of this website. Basically, the new guidance repeats and clarifies the prior rules, but there is also a new section relating to partial pay in some circumstances and full pay in others.
We recommend that members review the new guidance and see which parts may be helpful.
Other than that, our union is seeking to complete our contract bargaining over the phone and by use of emails where possible.
We can only hope that the city is able to respond at this time.
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