DC37 has established a union website compiling excellent information related to COVID-19, including guidance, benefits and press.

Accessing Healthcare: Free 24/7 healthcare access through our insurance providers (which can email you a medical letter for your job)

• Emblem / GHI / HIP: 

TeleDoc Online: There are links to android & iPhone apps on that website

Or call: 800-835-2362

• Metro Plus Gold:

Virtual Visits: Click here

Or call: 855-287-3508

Leave Issues

• Flow-chart guidance for various leave scenarios (including COVID-related leave)

• Pre-COVID leave summary (from Local 768 newsletter, reviewing Leave Regulations available in full here). Workers who have exhausted their sick and annual leaves may be eligible for additional paid time by requesting the following (via assigned Leaves Administrator):

  • Workers may be advanced 1 year worth of sick time (i.e. 10-12 work days, based on your years of service; Leaves Regulations 3.4)

  • Workers with at least 2 years service are eligible to receive sick leave dedicated from other employees (Dedicated Sick Leave)

  • Workers with 10 years service may be eligible for grant of 3 months paid sick time (Leaves Regulations 3.5)

• Extended Leave: If you need more unpaid leave for a workers' own serious illness:

  • Health Insurance benefits can be continued for a total of 4 months (i.e. 1 additional month beyond FMLA coverage) via Special Leave of Absence Coverage

  • Unpaid leave can be granted for up to 1 year (Leave Regulations 5.1). Workers not eligible for FMLA due to inadequate length of service (i.e. less than 1 year of service) may be eligible for this benefit

Health+Hospitals Town-Halls & Policy

• Town Hall Discussion with CEO Dr. Mitch Katz (April 6th)
• Human Resources COVID-19 Website
• COVID-19 Telecommuting policy
• Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Employees at Higher Risk
• COVID-19 Paid Leave Policy: Allowing up to 14 days
• Updated Leave Policy: Return to work policy and FAQ (March 18th)
• Updated Leave Policy: Call-outs and documentation requirement (April 7th)

Additional Resources: Transportation and accommodations available to help us and our families cope while we care for the ill (up-to-date listing accessible via H+H intranet)

• Taxi rides for ER & ICU workers (through CURB)

• Free 30-day CitiBike membership for all H+H employees: Follow instructions for immediate use

• Parking Permits for areas around hospitals (including support staff): Priority given to front-line clinical, support workers

• Free hotel stays for healthcare workers: Hotel rooms may be reserved for reasons that included, but not limited to, self-quarantine, possible COVID-19 exposure, inability to return home for risk of exposing members of their household, or other COVID-19 related reasons

Additional offers may also be available for food, transportation and clothing to healthcare workers. So far, we haven’t seen a centralized process for accessing these offers, but here is a recent listing online.

Hazard Pay:

• Several private hospital systems have already begun compensating employees: NY Presbyterian paid $1,250 and Northwell paid $2,500 to employees working on-site during March and April
• NYS Assembly considering a bill to mandate Hazard Pay compensation (press coverage here and full bill here): Capped at $25k / year, but details of payment rate currently unspecified (it would exclude private non-profits)
• US Congress considering "Heroes Compensation Fund": This bill would provide funding for "Hazard Pay" compensation specified as of $13 / hr for all hours worked 3/1/20 - 12/31/20 (approx $18k additional income for full-time 35hr work-week)

This list was last updated Apr 29, 2020