More than 2,600 caregivers and nurses who are allegedly at risk of losing their available sick leave benefits due to what they decry as “illegal policy changes” by USC say they are staging an informational picket Tuesday.
The caregivers, represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers and California Nurses Association, say the policy changes are set to take effect Sunday, violating USC’s union contracts.
Tuesday’s picket times are from 7:30-9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the intersection of San Pablo and Norfolk streets.
The caregivers say they are protesting a new sick leave policy that puts patients at risk, with more than 2,600 caregivers, including nurses, slated to lose available sick leave.
Staffing the picket lines are caregivers at Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. The revised policy will make it harder for more than 2,600 hospital employees to take sick leave for themselves or care for sick children, spouses or parents.
They include medical assistants, respiratory therapists and medical technicians represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers and registered nurses represented by the California Nurses Association.
“In violation of its union contracts, USC is unilaterally imposing new rules that limit sick leave and impose harsh penalties on workers who need more time to recover from illnesses or take care of their sick family members,” according to a statement issued by the picketers’ unions.
State law guarantees that workers can use up to half their paid-time-off allotment as Kin Care — to care for sick family members. However, USC is claiming the right to unilaterally limit all forms of sick leave to no more than 96 hours, which amounts to eight days for workers on 12-hour shifts, according to the statement.
The university is also imposing new attendance rules in which a single unexcused absence could result in a final warning before termination, according to the statement.
“As a healthcare employee, we come in contact daily with patients who are ill,” said Lucy Lamont, a patient coordinator at Keck Hospital of USC. “The risk of us contacting infections and illnesses is greater than the general public. I take that risk because I love my job and my patients. But it’s not OK with me that USC will turn around and punish me for getting sick.”
There was no immediate response from USC.