OCEA pushes for more COVID leave time

Dear OCEA member,

For almost two years, County workers have fought to keep themselves safe, to protect their families, and to keep our government open. As the Omicron variant began to drive the current unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases, OCEA took action and demanded the County provide County workers with additional Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL). 

In direct response to OCEA’s demand, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) will vote on Jan. 11, 2022, to authorize the County CEO to administer a 2022 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program.  You can read OCEA’s advocacy letter, dated Jan. 3, 2022, here. 

Should the BOS approve the 2022 EPSL Program, County workers will each receive up to 40 hours of paid sick leave for qualifying COVID-related absences. The proposal authorizes the County CEO to administer the 2022 EPSL Program retroactively from Dec. 31, 2021 through April 7, 2022. 

Click here to review the Staff Report. 

For all workers, the ability to use emergency leave will be in addition to any existing leave balances. The staff report also states that the County will continue to encourage telecommuting to be determined by each department. If you believe your request to telecommute was denied unreasonably and unfairly please contact your OCEA Labor Relations Representative.

Standing together, we can keep you, your coworkers, and your families safe. 

In Solidarity, 

Charles Barfield
OCEA General Manager

Publication Date: January 7, 2022