March 18, 2020

Dear 393 Members,

On March 16, 2020, a letter was sent to all our members regarding the coronavirus pandemic. The letter included links to the CDC and Santa Clara County Health Department, telephone numbers to our two 24/7 advice nurses, a link to the EDD for unemployment information and a special voicemail line for questions regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

I think there is some confusion on the intended use of the UA Local 393 Coronavirus Information Line. This voicemail line was created to provide a platform for our members to ask questions regarding the coronavirus pandemic. This information line is not a place to leave a message for 393 representatives to call back members. It is a platform to ask questions about things affected by the coronavirus pandemic that could not be answered from the included links and telephone numbers.

Below are some answers to common questions we received via the UA Local 393 Coronavirus Information Line:

1.   Do 393 members have to sign out of work in order to qualify for unemployment?

Answer: The EDD has temporarily changed this requirement. 393 members do not have to sign out of work to qualify for unemployment.

2.   Do 393 members have to sign out of work to receive the Supplemental Unemployment Benefits (SUB) provided to our members through the 393 Trust Funds?

Answer: According to the Supplemental Unemployment Plan Rules, members wanting to receive the Supplemental Unemployment Benefits (SUB) must be registered on the out-of-work list. Yes, they have to sign out of work.

With that being said, 393 is attempting to have the rules amended to allow members who have not signed out of work to be able to receive the Supplemental Unemployment Benefits (SUB).

3.   Do 393 members need to receive a layoff from their employer to be eligible for unemployment?

Answer: The EDD has temporarily changed this requirement. 393 members do not need to receive a layoff from their employer to be eligible for unemployment.

4.   Should 393 members wait at home for the jobsite to reopen or should they sign out of work?

Answer: Because UA Local 393 does not know how long each jobsite will be shut down, this is a question we can not answer. This is a judgment call each member must make for themselves.

In Solidarity,

Steve Flores
Business Manager