Today, Governor Inslee announced mask requirements for people working in K-12, most child care spaces, and higher education.
Employers have the right to require vaccinations as a condition of employment (or, for child care, in licensing).
Members in a union have the right to bargain the impacts of any changes to their jobs, including but not limited to:
- Paid time off to get vaccinated or deal with after-effects (for FCC, this could a mean sub pool)
- Clear mask policies and continued covid safety protocols
- Clear medical or religious exemptions
- Remote work options
- Clear policies for testing unvaccinated people and what to do around positive tests
- No stigmatization of or discrimination against people who have medical or religious exemptions (for instance, like having to wear a button or ID badge with vaccination status on it).
SEIU 925 members will bargain over the impact of this Covid vaccine requirement — with the state, each school district, and the University of Washington. Contact your chapter leaders or union organizer if you have questions about the process.
SEIU 925 members have stepped up to help our communities through a difficult time — from classified staff handing out school lunches to children, to front line workers in busy healthcare centers, to child care providers keeping their doors open for essential workers.
Despite significant progress this year, the world is still in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic. COVID-19’s Delta variant continues to take hold across the country, constantly reminding us of how connected we all really are. It’s in everyone’s best interest to end this global health crisis.
Vaccines do not replace PPE or other safety measures already in place at many worksites. Unions have always fought for safe and healthy working conditions: everyone deserves a safe workplace. We will continue to advocate for safe protocols and policies on the job.
We are stronger together.
Karen Hart, President
SEIU 925