Labor Unions Continue To Fight Covid Vaccine Mandates

On 9/24/21 in NY Supreme Court before Honorable Judge Laurence Love Labor Unions filed a Memorandum of Law in Opposition to the Respondent’s Cross Motion to Dismiss Verified Petition. The petition states “Respondents obscure the tangible violations of constitutional due process rights and medical risks raised by Petitioners' members by costuming these harms as mere "speculation." Indeed, Respondents do not even address Petitioners' allegations concerning the unconstitutional violations of substantive due process rights to bodily integrity, personal autonomy, and refusal of unwanted medical treatment. Rather, Respondents attempt to obfuscate Petitioners' claims and CDC-supported evidence by suggesting that Petitioners tout pseudoscience. Such misrepresentation is inappropriate in any litigation - let alone a suit concerning the government­ mandated inoculation of tens of thousands City employees”. To read the full details click on the document link above.

Labor Unions Join Forces and Fight Back

On 9/9/21, Labor Unions joined forces and filed an Order to Show Cause for a Temporary Restraining and Preliminary Injunction in NY Supreme Court against NYC, Dept of Health and Hygiene and Board of Education regarding the 8/24/21 Order on Covid Mandates. The Respondents are temporarily restrained from implementing the Order until the Court hearing on 9/22/21 when the case returns to Court

Let's Congratulate President Powell

On Thursday 9/9/21., President Powell along with several other union leaders received an award at the Leaders of Labor Celebration held at Terrace on the Park in Queens, NY. It was a great affair and in addition to the trophy she received a NYS Assembly Citation from Assembly Woman Rebecca Seawright, NYS Assemblt Citation from Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, NYS Assembly Citation from Assemblyman David Weprin and The Citation of Honor from the Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.

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What You Need to Know About The Return To Work Locations

As you may already be aware, the City will be beginning its final phase for a full return to office for city employees beginning on September 13th.    Masks will be required in shared spaces even if an employee is vaccinated and as a general policy teleworking will only be allowed in limited circumstances. Below is the revised City’s Leave Guidance, DCAS Commissioner’s Directive, Managing the Office in the Age of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Screening tool for City Employees.

 Substantive Changes

 1.  DCAS Guidance: Managing the Office in the Age of COVID
    *   Removed occupancy limitations (e.g. removed physical distancing and limitations based on ventilation); removed related occupancy planning guidance
    *   Added a section on COVID Safe Requirements, including EO 78 link
    *   Updated sections related to face covering, leave, health screens, essential workers, and new hires to reflect revised policies
    *   Added definitions section, updated resources
    
 2.  Citywide Leave Policy:
    *   Removed differentiation between essential and non-essential employees
    *   Clarified that telework will be allowed for employees under a quarantine order who feel well enough to work (e.g. asymptomatic positive)
    *   Reinstituted agency absence controls


 3.  Commissioner's Directive re: face coverings:
    *   Updated to reflect mandate to wear a face covering in all shared spaces
    *   Allows vaccinated employees to submit proof of vaccination if they wish to remove mask in unshared spaces


4. Health Screening: Updated to align with revised mask policy Dalvanie K Powell

President

UPOA

917-589-2674

Wage Compensation Study

In 2019, the New York State Legislature mandated that the Civil Service Commission conduct a wage compensation study of state and local government employees. The study will help each participating entity assess whether there are disparities in setting wages for city employees. 

 We are pleased to inform you that our city was selected to participate in a survey of employees to determine job setting policies based on job functions and required knowledge and skills. We are asking each city employee to complete the attached survey.   

 Data will be transmitted directly to the University at Albany. Data will be kept confidential and will only be reported in the aggregate. We are asking all employees to answer all questions as accurately as they can. All questions require a response. None of the questions are of any sensitive nature. All questions relate to the work functions employees perform on a day-to-day basis. We ask you to identify your race, ethnicity and gender to ensure that wage setting for your title was shaped only by credentials and not by any bias related to the characteristics of titles that are female or minority dominated. The survey is estimated to take 25 minutes of your time to complete.  UPOA urges all members to complete the Wage Compensation Survey

Health Benefits Program Rate Changes Effective 7-1-21

Effective July, 1, 2021 there was a Health Benefits Program rate change, however, basic coverage is still available at no cost to the subscriber under certain plans, while other plans require a payroll deduction.

Please be advised that these rates are subject to change. In the event of a rate change, your payroll deduction may either decrease or increase. Notice of any rate changes will be available through the Health Benefits Program website at nyc.gov/hbp. Please review the Notice of Health Benefits Rate Change and At-A-Glance Rate Chart