COVID-19 Rule 35/Bereavement Information
Question posed to Labor Relations on rule 35;
We are looking for guidance on how members will be compensated for bereavement. Obviously the contractual agreement cannot be upheld, because of this COVID-19 virus. Will or are there any guidelines established for compensation pertaining to the death of family members?
Answer from Labor relations;
*Rule 35 already contains flexibility so that if there is a delay in holding funeral services (within reason−such as certain current NJ restrictions), an actively working employee may defer taking up to 3 consecutive calendar days surrounding the funeral until the later time. Usual and customary documentation to support the qualifying family relationship, time / date of funeral service must be supplied.
*Employees where were / are in inactive status (unpaid, paid Covid 100%, vacation, etc.) can likewise defer the 3 consecutive calendar days as in the above. (Since Rule 35 covers a basic day’s pay for a lost work day due to the bereavement period, the Covid pay is in lieu of bereavement pay – it would be in conflict to pay two entitlements on the same day.)
Please save all supporting documents and contact your local chairperson on steps needed to get compensation.
2020 Rail Boot/Shoe Program
To all Rail Employees,
Although there are many safety concerns these days; slips, trips and falls still remain a top concern. Having the proper safety shoes or boots can go a long way to prevent these injuries.
We just want to remind you all that for those who may be in need of new safety shoes or boots our vendor Saf-Gard is still open and available to purchase boots by phone or in-store.
Attached are instructions on how to order by phone as well as the 2020 list of shoes and boots that are currently available* to all Rail employees at discounted prices with one yearly $60.00 subsidy.
*Note: Please remember if you have already purchased a boot or shoe this year you will NOT be eligible for another $60.00 however all employees eligible for this program may purchase an unlimited amount of boots or shoes at the discounted prices offered through the program.
Please feel free to reply or call me if you have any questions or concerns in regards to this program.
Unfortunately due to safety concerns in regards to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the remaining Saf-Gard shoe truck stops will be postpone until further notice.
Eligible employees who are in need of purchasing new shoes/boots may still do so by calling the local branch, providing your employee ID and have them delivered to your home address.
Best regards,
Bill Feeney
Safety Programs Administrator
Office of System Safety
Work: 973.491.8945
Cell: 862.279.4727
Efax: 973.609.1978
HEROES Relief Bill
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On, Friday May 15th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act) by a vote of 208-199. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where unfortunately Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell says that Congress needs to take a ‘pause’ on additional legislation to address the impacts of COVID-19.
“Transportation workers and their families can’t afford a pause. We can’t let perfect be the enemy of the good, and the HEROES Act is a good bill that provides immediate and additional relief to transportation workers and the industry that has been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic” National Legislative Director Greg Hynes said. “This needed legislation includes a number of hard-fought provisions that will provide financial stability to thousands and thousands of members directly and indirectly impacted by COVID-19. There must be a vote in the U.S. Senate.” HEROES Relief Bill Includes:
Here is where I need your help. This needed legislation is on ‘pause’ by Senator Mitch McConnell. And while the Senate leader has immense power as to which bills make it to the Senate calendar — if enough Senators demand a vote, a vote will occur. But this only happen if Senators hear from their constituents. |
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| Greg Hynes National Legislative Director SMART Transportation Division |
Open Enrollment Benefit Sessions – RAIL Agreement Employees
RAIL Agreement employees can enroll by email to Benefits@NJTRANSIT.com with the choice of session and including “Open Enrollment Benefit Sessions – RAIL Agreement Employees” in the subject line.
NJ TRANSIT has opened another COVID-19 testing site in central Jersey.
NJ TRANSIT continues to expand access to COVID-19 testing for all employees, regardless of symptom status. In concert with Agile Urgent Care and Accurate Diagnostics, NJ TRANSIT has opened another COVID-19 testing site in central Jersey.
As with the American Dream and Rowan University testing sites, you must first register to be tested at njt.agileurgentcare.com
The new appointment-only site opened today, May 15th, at Fairfield Inn & Suites at 315 Davidson Avenue in Somerset, New Jersey. This site will be available to NJ TRANSIT employees on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Online registration to schedule your telemedicine appointment is available now.
Rollover
It’s my understanding the schedule will not be changed and assignments will be re-advertised as they currently are. I asked if the assignments are going to change and I was told no, maybe minor changes here or there. The Carrier has no idea when we will go back to full service, but will follow our agreement. Let’s stay diligent with our work practice.
Jerome
NJ TRANSIT Health Advisory (COVID-19)
COVID-19 Update #14
5/1/2020
ATTENTION EMPLOYEES: As you may know, NJ TRANSIT will soon offer access to COVID-19 testing for all employees. Please be aware that registration for this service does not open until 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 3rd. At that time, you may register online at https://njt.agileurgentcare.com/s/login/?language=en_US&startURL=%2Fs%2F&ec=302 . This website will not be available until 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 3rd.
ATTENTION EMPLOYEES: All COVID-19-related absences require an MD-40 form – provided by NJ TRANSIT Medical Services – in order to return to the workplace. A medical professional’s note alone is not sufficient.
COVID-19 U.S. Statistics At A Glance, As of May 1, 2020
Total Cases: 1,062,446 (30,787 new cases*)
Total Deaths: 62,406 (2,349 new deaths*)
* Compared to yesterday’s data.
COVID-19 New Jersey Statistics At A Glance, As of 1 p.m. May 1, 2020
Total Positives: 121,190
Total Negatives: 135,355
Total Deaths: 7,538
COVID-19 NJ TRANSIT Statistics At A Glance, As of 10 p.m. April 30, 2020
Total Positives: 435
Current Quarantines: 916
Returned to Work: 1097
CDC Updates
- CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Learn to make your own cloth mask at https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4.The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.FAQs regarding cloth face coverings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html.
- CDC Guidance Regarding Cleaning And Disinfecting Your Home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/disinfecting-your-home.pdf
The NJ TRANSIT COVID-19 Hotline toll free number is 1-888-890-0729.
For any and all COVID-19-related questions, please call the NJ TRANSIT COVID-19 Hotline. It is staffed 24/7. Please do not contact NJT Medical Services at the regular department number for any COVID-19 related matters.
Steps to Reporting a COVID-19 Related Absence:
Call the Hotline to open a case. This ensures accurate reporting and payroll processing.
- Submit documentation AFTER opening your case with the Hotline. This will ensure your documentation is attached to your case.
- Keep Medical Services aware of your situation by calling the Hotline with any updates or changes.
Steps to Return to Work after a COVID-19 Related Absence:
- Call the Hotline at least three days prior to your anticipated date of return.
- Submit any additional documentation that is required for your clearance AFTER calling the hotline to begin your return to work Processing.
- Contact your supervisor to advise them of your anticipated date of return.
- Medical Services will complete your MD-40 (Work Status Form) once all required information and documentation is received and provide you with a copy.
- Provide your supervisor with a copy of your MD-40.
As Information
- Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order 133 Reopening State Parks and Golf Courses: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/announcements/all-announcements/governor-murphy-signs-executive-order-reopening-state-parks-and-golf-courses#direct-link.
- NJ 2-1-1 is live. Residents can also text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text information and stay informed. To receive live text assistance, residents can text their zip code to 898-211. This will increase call capacity and reduce wait time.
- The New Jersey Department of Health released guidance on the definitions of “close contact” and “casual contact” as it relates to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID19_Guidance%20_Contacts_Case.pdf
Additional Resources
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Web Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
· World Health Organization COVID-19 Web Page: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
· NJ Department of Health Communicable Disease Service COVID-19 Web Page: https://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml / Hotline: (1-800-222-1222)
· NJ COVID-19 Website: https://covid19.nj.gov
