Dear Member,

At this most concerning time, I want to assure you that ASSCR is doing everything we can to communicate our (your) concerns to our employer on a daily basis. The unknown is what is making us most uneasy, understandably so, and the general rhetoric coming from administration does not address the issue of just how possibly contagious this COVID-19 is, as the medical experts continue to learn details daily.

In 320 Jay Street, Brooklyn, an employee of The Vera Institute, being housed on the 4th Floor, was sent home March 4 after displaying symptoms of Coronavirus. The employee tested positive. Vera Institute was removed from the premises and the area cleaned to the then specifications employed by DCAS.

Again, the unknown is our issue. Our message to OCA has been when you don’t know something, you STOP until you know it; especially when the health of so many people rely on your decisions. So we ask, what is being done to protect us in our workplace? We say not enough. None of the multiple court unions have been asked to convene with OCA to come up with a plan. We have taken it upon ourselves to reach out to them with suggestions, concerns and demands. We have not received any firm response, other than the last memo on Friday, March 13th, in which postponement of civil jury trials where opening statements have not been commenced will be suspended, and those civil trials that have already commenced will continue (ridiculous). Criminal trials where jeopardy is attached shall continue, but no new criminal trials will be started.

Civil TAP parts are being suspended and conferences are being minimized and compliance conferences are being postponed.

With that, we all still need to commute to work daily. OCA’s message is be careful. Our message is to do what is best for you and your loved ones. If a doctor tells you it is necessary to quarantine, do so. Upon return to work, have a note from that doctor and your accruals will not be diminished. If YOU feel it is necessary to self quarantine, do so. However, if you do not have a note stating it was ultimately medically necessary to self quarantine, your accruals will be diminished.

I am very aware that basically nothing I have stated to this point is anything you already do not know. The purpose of communicating with you is to confirm to you our efforts to protect you and represent your concerns and valid fears. We are and will continue to inform you and move to be sure that our interests are represented and questions are answered. We will not stop. We will persist on your behalf.