The UC & CSU systems have made good progress in protecting jobs and pay during the first months of the coronavirus health and safety crisis. UC approved 128 hours of paid administrative leave for workers unable to work due to a health issue, being quarantined or school or daycare closures, and 256 hours were approved by CSU. More recently, UC pledged no layoffs through June 30, 2020.

These programs will need to be expanded given that this crisis and the economic repercussions are likely to last much longer. Together, UC and CSU employ more Californians than almost any other employer and provide vital education, research, and health care services. One of the best and fastest way to insure the long-term economic stability and health of our communities is to stand firm on the commitment to avoid layoffs. Furthermore, as long as shelter-in-place mandates remain in place in California, the UC and CSU need to extend paid administrative leave benefits to staff until they are lifted. We urge UC and CSU to provide every opportunity to employees to work — with all appropriate safety measures — through telework, flexible schedules, reassignments, re-deployments, etc. We are ALL essential workers!

For those who still cannot work safely because they are sick, quarantined, at high risk, caring for children due to school closures, or for any other COVID-19-related reason, the UC must ensure that workers will not suffer layoffs, curtailments, or other loss of pay and benefits as a result of this pandemic.

We, the undersigned workers, students and supporters, demand that the UC and CSU protect workers’ rights, livelihood and lives to avoid further damage and crisis to families and our communities caused by the COVID-19 health crisis. Extend paid administrative leave benefits to staff until stay-at-home orders are lifted. Expand the number of employees allowed to work from home UC and the CSU must prevent layoffs, protect safety, income and jobs for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis and its aftermath.