Please read this information carefully before applying for CAPS Strike Hardship Pay. If more information is needed, please contact: caps@capsscientists.org or (916) 441-2629.
The CAPS Strike Hardship Fund was established to support rank-and-file members who participate in CAPS-authorized strikes or job actions (Job Actions) which increases our ability to win a contract that properly Values Scientists! The Strike Hardship Fund will be used to provide financial support (Strike Hardship Pay) to eligible members who experience acute or exceptional financial hardships because they are not paid by the State as a result of the strike.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a rank-and-file CAPS member in good standing, and must have also been a rank-and-file member the day before going out on a CAPS’-sanctioned strike or the day before a job action starts.
- The applicant must be active on State Payroll at the start of the strike.
- The CAPS Member must provide proof of attendance at a picket for at least one strike shift or other strike duty per day as assigned by a Strike Captain and as described in the Strike Standards.
- Not all eligible members are guaranteed Strike Hardship Pay; it is granted on a need-basis, eligible members must assert that they are experiencing financial hardship due to lost pay while on strike.
- The applicant must be on strike for the duration of the time they are called to be on strike (never crossed the picket line).
- The application must be made using the form provided by the CAPS Benefits Committee.
Payment
- The daily rate of Strike Hardship Pay shall not exceed $100 per day of the Job Action, subject to the availability of funds.
- A qualifying member will request a specific amount needed to address their hardship, but in no case will the amount disbursed to an individual exceed the amount of wages they lost while striking.
- CAPS shall provide a check to the member (sent to the member’s home or preferred mailing address) to assist in hardships caused by the strike.
- Application for Strike Hardship Pay must be received within 60 days following the Job Action.
Confidentiality
All information obtained from each applicant shall be treated confidentially, including the identity of applicants or grantees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
All CAPS rank-and-file members in good standing may be eligible for Strike Hardship Pay if they meet the requirements listed above.
No, California law does not permit striking employees to collect unemployment insurance benefits.
Yes. In the event that a member receives more than $600 from CAPS during a calendar year, CAPS will issue an IRS form 1099-MISC.
You will not be eligible for any Strike Hardship Pay.
Strike Captains are responsible for maintaining sign-in sheets. Check-in with a Strike Captain at the beginning of your strike shift. CAPS members who attend pickets or provide strike support duties but do not sign in with a Strike Captain may not be eligible for Strike Hardship Pay. The Strike Captain or the Member Benefits Committee may request additional information from applicants, on a case-by-case basis.
The Member Benefits Committee will review applications and make a determination whether the applicant will receive Strike Hardship Pay. The Member Benefits Committee, as the reviewing party, are not eligible to receive Strike Hardship Pay to prevent any conflict of interest.
Hardships may include, but are not limited to, costs for childcare, food and/or other emergency situations impacted by lost pay due to striking.
Applicants will be notified about their application’s approval and Strike Hardship Pay will be distributed via check within 90 days of a job action.
A CAPS member would be active on state payroll if they were not out on any of the following approved types of leave: parental, disability leave, Workers Comp, leave of absence, or if you were on suspension as part of an adverse action.
Using paid leave means you are on vacation. That was not striking, that was crossing our picket line. Striking is withholding your labor and forgoing pay.
You should have received an email with your CAPS member ID from caps@capsscientists.org. Please check your spam folder if it is not in your general inbox. If you did not receive an email with your CAPS member ID, please call the CAPS office at 916-441-2629 and be sure your contact information is up to date.