August 30, 2022

Dr. Michael V Drake, President and UC Regents
University of California Office of the President
University of California 1111 Franklin St., 12th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607

Re: UCUC Urge Critical COVID Protections for Workers

Dear President Drake and UC Regents:

As you know, the University of California EPSL is set to expire September 30, 2022. The Union Coalition urges UC to act quickly to extend and expand critical protections to its workers. Specifically, the members of the UC Union Coalition urge you to provide an additional 128 hours of COVID-19 paid administrative leave for UC employees; extend leave programs through at least the end of 2023; ensure leave hours are provided to all new hires; and enhance the Cal OSHA Emergency Standard that continues an employee’s income when they are excluded from work for COVID-related reasons.

The pandemic has been with us for over two years and many workers have exhausted the previously provided COVID-19 leave. The UC COVID leave programs have proven invaluable and remain important tools in maintaining stability and controlling the negative impacts of COVID-19. Safety measures remain necessary to maintain the safety of health care workers, patients, campus staff and students in order to mitigate the negative impact of the virus, including ensuring that sick workers are not vectors for spreading the virus at work. Therefore, UC workers still have an urgent need to have access to paid leave for coronavirus-related reasons.

Signed,
AFSCME 3299
CIR/SEIU
CNA
CUCFA
Teamsters 2010
UAPD
UAW 2865
UAW 5810
UC-AFT