As the Nation and the State continue to adapt to fast-developing circumstances, we all have questions about workplace safety and income replacement options. Local 282 will continue to provide the most helpful and accurate guidance possible.
Oct. 1, 2020 Update
Pay Dues and Strike Fund Contributions online with Xpress Pay.
May 27, 2020 Update
NY Life has made Whole Life Insurance with Chronic Care benefits available for purchase by Local 282 members. Details
May 4, 2020 Update
pdf Corona Virus Testing for Essential Workers (107 KB)
April 10, 2020 Update
March 31, 2020 update
pdf Employee Rights - Paid Sick Leave and FMLA (175 KB)
March 30, 2020
Unemployment Insurance Information
March 27, 2020
CONSTRUCTION SHUTDOWN
On March 27, 2020 all non-essential construction in New York City, including all commercial and residential construction, was ordered to halt. As of this writing, the exact scope and timing of the shutdown have not been announced, except that “Essential Construction” may continue and includes roads, bridges, transit facilities, utilities, hospitals or health care facilities, affordable housing, and homeless shelters. Sites must maintain social distance and best safety practices.
ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
On March 26, 2020, the US Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), amending the First Families Act that was enacted on March 18. As of this writing, it was passed by the US House of Representatives. You may benefit from certain key features, including:
- Extended Unemployment benefits (an additional 13 weeks of benefits)
- Supplemented Unemployment benefits (up to $600 per week in addition to State benefits)
- Direct Payments to taxpayers, depending on your annual income
POTENTIAL INCOME REPLACEMENT SOURCES
Unemployment Insurance Benefits in NY
- If you are unable to work due to an employer closure, you may qualify
- If you work in NYS, you should file in NYS
- NYS has waived the 7-day wait period for commencement of benefits
- To handle the major influx of applications, the State DOL has established a staggered schedule for you submit your claim. DOL advises:
Last names starting with A - F, file on Monday.
Last names starting with G - N, file on Tuesday.
Last names starting with O - Z, file on Wednesday.
If you missed your filing day, file on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
Filing later in the week will not delay payments or affect the date of your claim; all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed.
Instructions on filing for UI Benefits
General information from NYS about available UI Benefits
Unemployment Insurance Benefits in NJ
- If you work in NJ, you should file in NJ.
Information about for UI Benefits in NJ
NYS Required Paid Leave From Your Employer for COVID-19 Quarantine or Isolation
On March 18, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed Senate Bill S8091 to require that certain employers provide paid leave to employees unable to work because they are subject to a mandatory quarantine or isolation order. The availability, amount and duration of the benefit depends in part on the size of your employer. Highlights of the leave requirements are below. More information
- Between 5 and 14 calendar days of paid leave available to employees, depending on employer size
- The benefit is not available if your employer has 10 or fewer employees as of January 1, 2020 and made less than $1 million in 2019
- For hourly and part-time employees, the benefit amount is determined by employee’s average daily pay rate over a representative period of time
- This leave pay is in addition to any accrued sick leave otherwise available
- Benefit is available if you are under a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the State department of health, local board of health, or government entity. An employer is not required to provide the benefit if you chose to self-quarantine.
- If your employer fails or refuses to provide a required benefit related to COVID19, you can file a complaint with the NYS Dept. of Labor
NYS Paid Family Leave From Your Employer’s Insurance Carrier
If you or your minor child is subject to a mandatory quarantine or isolation order, you may be eligible for Paid Family Leave.
- If your health benefits are provided through the Local 282 Welfare Fund:
You can contact its carrier The Standard at 1-888-937-4783
Application Forms are available (Click the link, check the box for “Paid Family Leave,” and click “Apply”)
Federal Family Medical Leave and Families First Act Leave From Your Employer
Congress enacted the Families First Act on 3/18/2020 to require employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide up to 80 hours of leave, capped at $511 per day, if you are not working.
- To comply with a government issued order to isolate or quarantine
- To comply with Health Care Provider recommendation to isolate or quarantine
- To seek a medical diagnosis after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
The Families First Act also require employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide up to twelve weeks of limited paid leave, capped at $200 per day, if you are not working.
- To care for a family member under a government issued order to isolate or quarantine
- To care for a family member under a Health Care Provider recommendation to isolate or quarantine
- To care for a child if normal childcare is not available due to public health emergency
- To seek a medical diagnosis after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
Smaller employers – those with 50 or fewer employees – may seek an exemption. The law becomes effective April 1, but is retroactive; if you are otherwise eligible, and an inability to work for one of the above reasons prior to April 1 would qualify.
SAFETY MATTERS
If your employer is operating, but you feel your work environment is unsafe for you due to COVID-19, you may choose not to work and your job will be protected. You may, however, not be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits or other income replacement.
Stay Strong. Stay Calm. Stay Informed.
March 23, 2020 Update
As the Nation and the State continue to adapt to fast-developing circumstances, we all have questions about workplace safety and income replacement options. Local 282 will continue to provide the most helpful and accurate guidance possible.
Under NYS Executive Order 202.8, all businesses are required to reduce in-office personnel by 100% except for “essential businesses” and “essential services and functions.” As of this posting, “construction” and warehouse distribution are considered “essential”. Labor organizations in and of themselves are not.
Contacting Local 282
Local 282 is operating remotely and Officers, Agents and staff are available by phone. Calls to Union office phone extensions are forwarding to mobile phones.
Local 282 Funds Office
The Local 282 office is open on a limited basis for the purpose of operating the Welfare Trust Fund, to assist with the timely processing of claims.
Working Safely
You are entitled to a safe work environment.
- Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned periodically
This includes the inside of your assigned vehicle - You should be able to wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
- Employees should not congregate in shape rooms or other work areas unless able to remain at least six feet apart.
- If you exhibit symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing), call your physician for instructions on testing and care and alert your employer
- If you feel that your work environment is unsafe, alert your Steward.
March 19, 2020
As the Nation and the State continue to adapt to fast-developing circumstances, we all have questions about workplace safety and income replacement options. Local 282 will continue to provide the most helpful and accurate guidance possible.
SAFETY MATTERS
TAKE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES
The precautions currently recommended and/or required are designed to end the immediate health crisis as soon as possible so that recovery can begin. We encourage you to comply.
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid close contact
- Avoid touching your face
- If you are sick – stay home
- Follow the CDC’s guidance
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE CORONAVIRUS, OR IF YOU SHOW SYPTOMS OF COVID-19 (COUGH, FEVER, DIFFICULTY BREATHING):
- Call your physician for instructions on testing and care.
- Inform your Employer, so that approriate action can be taken to prevent further spread.
- Follow the CDC’s guidance
IF YOU ARE DIRECTED BY YOUR EMPLOYER TO WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT YOU REASONABLY BELIEVE TO BE UNSAFE, ALERT YOUR BUSINESS AGENT
MATTERS OF INCOME REPLACEMENT
There are various potential sources of income replacement, each with its own qualifying criteria. By government action, some of those criteria have been eased, and additional benefits should be becoming available. Below is the best information we have to date, and is subject to change as circumstances develop.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
- Should be available if you are not working because your employer has ceased or reduced its operations, or if you are unable to work due to quarantine (i.e., you were exposed to the virus and are separated to see if you become sick).
- May be available if your employer refuses to allow you to work due to health and safety concerns.
- Typically not available for the same period that you receive Short Term Disability Benefits
- If in doubt as to whether you qualify, submit an application to the NYS Department of Labor.
Short Term Disability Benefits
- May be available if you test positive for the coronavirus and are in isolation or treatment
- May be available if you were exposed to the coronavirus and are under quarantine
- Typically not available for the same period you receive Unemployment Insurance Benefits
- If in doubt as to whether you qualify, submit an application. If your benefits are provided through the Local 282 Welfare Trust Fund, contact the Enrollment Department of the Benefits Office or the insurance carrier, The Standard at 888-937-4783.
- Application forms for Short Term Disability Benefits are available online at:
- If your work is in NY
- If your work is in NJ
Workers Compensation
- May be available with clear proof that you contracted COVID-19 at the workplace
- May require medical certifications as to where and how you contracted COVID-19
Paid Family Leave
- Last night, March 18, the Federal Government passed the Families First Act, amending the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to require that employers provide paid and unpaid leave benefits to employees unable to work or telecommute due to the coronavirus crisis. The law takes effect April 2. We are studying the new law to determine how our members may benefit, and will provide guidance and information when it becomes available.
- Employees who work in New York State may be eligible for Paid Leave to care for a close family member who is seriously ill.
- If you think you qualify for such benefits, and your benefits are provided through the Local 282 Welfare Trust Fund, contact the insurance carrier, The Standard at 888-937-4783.
- Application forms for Paid Family Leave in NY are available online at:
https://www.standard.com/individual/forms-page
(Click the link, check the box for “Paid Family Leave,” and click “Apply”)
Stay Strong. Stay Calm. Stay Informed.
