PBA update

Unregistered · 01-06-2021, 05:42 PM

Bargaining Unit Members,

Happy New Year to all. I hope everyone had a healthy and SAFE holiday season.

2021 has started out with some confusion regarding the use of “CV” time (which is equivalent to Administrative Leave), that 80 hours granted under part of the federal legislation related to COVID-19. The Department put out an email on December 31, 2020, advising that the use of the “CV” code was no longer applicable as it had “expired” December 31, 2020. That information ignored the presumption that we worked for, providing that if you contract COVID-19 that it is presumed to a work-related exposure. We have been in communication with the Department and Miami-Dade County to clarify the confusion created by that email, and the Department and County have agreed with our position that the use of “CV” leave for sworn bargaining unit members does continue – that it has been extended to March 31, 2021. Additionally, for our non-sworn bargaining members, if there was a documented work-related exposure and you are required to self-quarantine, that, too, will be covered with “CV” time.

To be clear, if you have been exposed to COVID-19 and have to self-quarantine, if you are a sworn member it is presumed to be work-related and you would not have to use your own time and the “CV” code would still apply. If you are not sworn, the exposure would have to be documented as work-related and you also then not have to use your own time and the “CV” code would still apply.

It is imperative that if you are involved or exposed to a situation involving a sick/injured person exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 that you document the incident in detail.

Your PBA continues to work with the Human Resources Director on the policy as it related to this pandemic, and we are pleased that after bringing this to the attention of the Department and the County that everyone is now in agreement as to what you are eligible for.

PLEASE continue to use facemasks, practice social distancing, and good hygiene.

As always, stay safe!

Steadman Stahl