This guide was developed by SEIU Local 99 members on our bargaining team for members at LACCD designated as essential workers. This guide will provide context and a summary of your rights and benefits negotiated in our COVID-19 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and LACCD’s COVID-19 protocols, including requests for accommodations for members impacted by COVID-19 and requests for leaves of absence related to COVID-19. Please note that additional updates were made in an SEIU Local 99 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding COVID-19 negotiated in April 2021. 

As you know, the situation with COVID-19 continues to be fluid and we are staying updated on new developments and directives from federal, state and local agencies. At the end of this guide you will find an update on negotiations and other local and federal protections that we must all continue to fight for to ensure the safety and livelihoods of SEIU Local 99 members now and as we begin to recover from this pandemic. 

SEIU Local 99 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding COVID-19 for 2020-21 Academic Year

SEIU Local 99 October 2020 COVID-19 MOU Summary 

• The COVID-19 MOU we negotiated in October both solidifies some of the rights and benefits from the MOU that was negotiated in May. This most recent agreement  provides new rights and benefits for members. Employees who are deemed essential workers have the right to: 
  • Request accommodations. Essential workers who are 65 years of age or older, have an existing chronic health condition, do not have childcare supervision for children under age 16, or who are in close contact with older individuals or individuals with preexisting conditions due to stay at home orders, have the right to submit a written request for accommodations to be exempt from physically reporting to campus. This includes, but is not limited to, the online professional development program for essential workers outlined in our COVID-19 MOU. Requests for accommodations are to be made in writing to your immediate supervisor. We recommend that you include everyone within your chain of command in your request. 
  • Request a leave of absence. Essential workers have the right to use leaves of absence under the SEIU Local 99 contract and use leaves under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) and Emergency and Family Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) as authorized by law. Requests for leaves of absence are to be made in writing to both the contact(s) listed below based on your location. The personnel office will provide a copy of the request to your direct supervisor. 
  • Work a reduced schedule. The reduced work schedule consists of 6 ½ hours a day on site with the remaining two (2) hours to allow for professional development remotely. Employees who do not want to take part in professional development have the right to use their illness/vacation time for those 2 hours or report to campus for their entire shift. 
  • Obtain all appropriate PPE. Any member who reports to a work site and is not provided the appropriate PPE has the right to be excused from reporting to work that day and will receive full pay for that day.
  • Work with appropriate and safe social distancing. 
  • Take a COVID-19 test during work hours. Employees have the right to take a COVID-19 test during work time, as often as once every 14 days and be reimbursed if the cost is not covered by District medical insurance and free testing is not available.
  • Request and receive a Chromebook at no cost to participate in the online professional development program. 
  • Request and receive IT support and in person and/or remote training to ensure successful participation in the online professional development program. 

Questions and completed leaves of absence request forms should be submitted to the contact(s) listed below for your location. 

LACCD Safety Protocols

Wearing facial coverings and following District safety advisories and current health orders from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) during the COVID-19 pandemic are mandatory to ensure the safety of all persons at LACCD. Local LACDPH Health Orders clearly state that failure to comply is a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both (California Health and Safety Code Section 120295; Los Angeles County Code Section 11.02.080).  

• Employees must check their LACCD email daily for all notices regarding COVID-19 symptom check protocols and/or any other notices relating to facility access and COVID-19 issues  
• Employees are required to complete LACCD’s COVID-19 symptom self- check each time prior to entering any college or district facility  
• All employees are required to check-in upon arrival at a campus or district facility and to check-out prior to departure  
• All LACCD employees are required to wear cloth/disposable face coverings at all times when at any LACCD college, facility or at any district activity  
• Employees must practice safe hand washing, proper hygiene, and social distancing requirements at all times while at any LACCD college or facility  
• All District Safety Advisories are on the LACCD website at: http://laccd.edu/About/News/Pages/Safety-Advisories.aspx

Employees are REQUIRED to notify their medical provider if they experience any COVID-19 symptoms and ARE NOT PERMITTED to come to any LACCD college or facility until cleared by testing and/or their healthcare provider.

Report violations of the District’s Safety Advisories to the COVID-19 Hotline at (213) 221-5112

SEIU Local 99 Resources 

• If you have a work site issue or concern or have questions related to your contract, your Job Steward is the first person you should speak with. It is their responsibility to handle grievances, monitor compliance with the contract between your bargaining unit and employer, and address issues or concerns of SEIU Local 99 members at their work site. Below is a list of current Job Stewards:

• If you are unable to get an answer to your question or resolve your issue through your Job Steward or there is no Job Steward at your work site, contact the SEIU Local 99 Member Resource Center (MRC) at
  • Phone Number: (213)637-0296
  • Online: https://www.seiu99.org/inquire/

Update: Our Fight Continues

Federal Relief 

• In order for a bill to become law, a bill needs to be voted on and passed by both the Congress and the Senate and, if passed by both houses, requires the President’s signature. Congress passed a $3 Trillion COVID-19 relief bill in May and a $2.2 Trillion bill in October that includes relief for state and local governments for things like hero pay for essential workers, but the Republican controlled Senate refused to vote on the bills. 

• Currently, Legislators are looking at a $908 billion stimulus package but only $300 billion of the $908 billion is new money. It is important to note that Republicans who control the Senate and the President have refused to provide relief for state and local governments. 

Recognition Pay Compensation 

• Recognition pay for essential workers who are required to physically report to their work location is currently being addressed between the LACCD Labor Caucus and the LACCD Chancellor. Simultaneously, our SEIU99 leaders are working through the LACCD Personnel Commission to attempt to create a permanent solution by creating a differential for hazards like COVID-19.

Reopening COVID-19 MOU Negotiations

• Due to the current surge in COVID-19 cases, we have sent a formal request to reopen negotiations on our COVID-19 MOU. We will keep our members informed via email and post updated information on our website at seiu99.org. Please visit our website to sign up for email alerts and to obtain the most updated information.