May 4, 2020

Dear 393 Members and Contractors,

UA Local 393 has led efforts in partnership with union and political allies to get job sites open safely. This coordination has been instrumental in securing policies and procedures that prioritize worker safety. Santa Clara County Supervisors Cindy Chavez and Dave Cortese have driven the effort to engage our industry in problem-solving to ensure members of UA Local 393 are safe at work.

As our members return to work, the number one priority for UA Local 393 is ensuring a safe jobsite. As Santa Clara County continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating the construction industry to ensure the safe resumption of residential, commercial and public works projects must be approached from a public health and safety perspective. I am proud to say that our union helped craft the policy recommendations that guided Bay Area public health officers to finalize these recommendations.

Beginning today, construction workers will be able to go back to work on certain projects if they follow safety protocols.

Under the new order:

• All construction projects can resume, provided they comply with the Construction Project Safety Protocols issued as part of the order. These protocols replace the COVID-19 Construction Field Safety Guidelines applicable to the prior order.
• Commercial as well as residential real estate transactions are allowed to fully resume, but with continued restrictions on in-person viewings and appointments.
• Childcare establishments, summer camps, schools, and other educational and recreational programs can operate to provide care and supervision for children to allow all who are working in essential businesses, outdoor businesses, or who are performing minimum basic operations to access childcare. All of these operations must comply with restrictions specified in the order.
• Outdoor businesses such as nurseries, landscaping, and agriculture that normally operated outdoors prior to the shelter in place orders will reopen.
• Use of certain outdoor recreational facilities will be allowed.

The organized pipe trades have long recognized the link between our profession and public health. Because of this unique perspective, we are leading efforts to ensure essential construction workers are safe on the job.

In solidarity,

Steve Flores
Business Manager