Safe and Happy Holidays. Science Saves Lives. CAPS would again like to wish you all Happy Holidays. To commemorate the year that has been 2020, CAPS has ordered protective face masks for our membership. While we are hopeful with the roll out of the vaccine for COVID-19, we also understand that social distancing, the use of protective face masks, and frequent hand washing and sanitizing will continue in 2021. Thus, CAPS has ordered a supply of branded face masks in adult and children’s sizes, so you can show solidarity while staying safe. If you are interested in receiving a mask, please fill out the order form here: https://app.surveymethods.com/EndUser.aspx?93B7DBC493D4CFC091.
As your union, we know you’ve been working hard to continue protecting California throughout these challenging times, and we wanted to do our part to help keep you and your family safe. Children’s masks are available while supplies last. One mask per member, please. We hope you wear your CAPS mask with pride and assist in spreading the message: Science Saves Lives.
Into 2021. As we leave 2020 behind, CAPS leaders want to share some items of note with you. This year, while we focused on bargaining and keeping you updated on those developments, we continued to advocate for members and represent Unit 10 State Scientists to the fullest.
We’ve always advocated and have increased efforts since March, and will continue to do so, for the utmost safety wherever State Scientists work. We’ve sent out multiple CAPS Alerts to inform members of workplace safety parameters per public health and CDC guidance that your departments should be implementing to protect you and your colleagues.
In recent months, the Newsom Administration has placed a priority on remote work as a permanent policy. CAPS has advocated State Scientists should have discretion over whether to work remotely. For members working from home, CAPS is urging the Administration to reimburse job-related expenses, since telework reduces the State’s business workspace costs.
Finally, with the development and deployment of two successful vaccines for COVID-19 (and others likely on the way), CAPS formally advocated that Unit 10 State Scientists deemed “essential workers,” and those whose work places them at risk, be able to receive the inoculation in recognition of their continued vital work to protect California.
Healthier U Connections. ?CalHR has announced the roll out in 2021 of Healthier U Connections, an innovative online wellness service that allows current state employees to continually track health behaviors and access wellness resources, such as healthy recipes, exercise videos, ask a physician, and much more. There are approximately 64 state departments currently participating, but all active state civil service employees are encouraged to participate. You must use your state email address to sign-up. If you do not see your department listed, you may participate as “Unaffiliated.” You can read more about the program and testimonials here: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/benefits/Pages/healthier-u-connections.aspx
News Briefs.
California bill would sharply reduce lead leaching from faucets – A recently introduced measure, Assembly Bill 100, would set a legally enforceable limit on the amount of lead leaching from drinking water faucets and fixtures, reducing by five times the amount now allowed by a plumbing industry standard.
Targeting U.S. wetland restoration could make cleaning up water much cheaper – Wetlands do a great job of filtering and cleaning up polluted water, but in the United States, many have been filled in, paved over, or drained to become farm fields. Now, a study suggests policymakers responsible for managing wetlands could do a better job by strategically locating restored or created wetlands near sources of pollution, such as farms and livestock operations. Such a targeted approach would remove much more nitrogen-which pollutes groundwater, lakes, and coastal waters-than current scattershot policies, the researchers say, and California’s Central Valley in particular could benefit from more thoughtful policies.
In Review. Check out what you may have missed from past CAPS Updates here:
December 1, 2020. Holidays Often Mean Vacation Time. The winter holidays are in full swing, and while this year is undoubtedly different than others, this time of year often brings questions about vacation, including whether a Department could deny an employee vacation time, while granting it to someone else; or how quickly vacation requests need to be approved. CAPS MOU, Section 3.1 defines how the situation should be resolved if this problem were to arise. If you encounter issues getting your vacation requests approved, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org).
Read other past messages on the CAPS Website here: http://capsscientists.org/members/caps-member-updates/. The password is Winter2020 – it IS case-sensitive.