Our union has been in constant contact with Ventura Superior Courts to help protect workers during this Coronavirus pandemic, especially those who are on the frontlines.
Since March 16th most Court workers have been at home and the Courts have only been open on a limited basis. Courts have been evaluating who works and who stays home on a week by week basis.
Today is the second extension of this practice which keeps most members at home until April 17th and are paid by the Courts. That means no loss of pay or use of their own hours required. Furthermore, those who work will get holiday pay at time and a half.
Here is the notice of this extension:
From: Lorraine M. Benavides, Director of Human Resources
To: Danny Carrillo, Tri-Counties Regional Director, Service Employees International Union Local 721
RE:Limited Court Closure – Coronavirus/COVID-19 UpdateMr. Carrillo,
To: Danny Carrillo, Tri-Counties Regional Director, Service Employees International Union Local 721
RE:Limited Court Closure – Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update
Mr. Carrillo,
In response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Order to Stay Home issued March 19th and the Ventura County Public Health Department’s Stay Well at Home Order issued March 20th, the majority of courtrooms and all clerk’s offices at all court locations remain closed to the public.
During the period of March 30, 2020 through April 17, 2020, a small number of courtrooms will be operating to hear urgent criminal, juvenile, temporary restraining order issues and emergency matters only. Essential staff will be needed to meet urgent court matters.
During the court closure period, the court will continue to pay employees, who would otherwise be scheduled to work, in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations, Article 18, Section 1802: Natural Disaster, which states “A natural disaster is an emergency caused by the happenings of war, storm, flood, explosion, earthquake, epidemic, riot or insurrection. Upon the approval of the Court Executive Officer, employees whose absence from work arises out of or is due to such natural disaster shall not suffer any loss in pay or other benefits”.
For employees called to work during the limited closure period, the court will continue to apply the holiday compensation provisions for represented exempt and non-exempt employees in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement between the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura and SEIU Local 721:
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Article 14 – Administrative Leave
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Section 1A: Granting of Administrative Leave
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Section 1C: Use, Accruals and Record Keeping
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Article 15 – Holidays
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Section 1: Holiday Policy
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Section 2: Paid Court Holidays
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Section 3: Holiday Pay
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Section 4: Work on Holidays
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What about the HCA employees that are at the hospital?!