You asked; the MRC Answered

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Have a question you need a quick answer to? 

Your Member Resource Center (MRC) is here to respond to a range of inquiries. The MRC provides a toll-free service weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Whether you’re looking for information about worksite meetings, how to interpret contract language or who your Local 1000 steward is, your answers are just a phone call away.

Call Mon. – Fri. | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | 866.471.SEIU (7348)

Q: After how many hours am I allowed a lunch period? 
A: The contract says that meal periods should “be scheduled near the middle of the work shift,” giving the State some flexibility. Meal periods are not counted as part of total hours worked.

There are exceptions to the above rules based on which Unit you are in (Unit 17 and 21 have different meal provisions). Please contact the MRC for more detailed information.  

Q: Do we have set up and shut down time?
A: Yes. Time necessary to “set up” and/or “shut down” a State function is part of the employee’s work day.

Q: How much notice does the department have to give if they change my hours?
A: The State must give at least 15 calendar days notice before permanently changing your schedule. 

According to our contract, the state can make temporary schedule changes immediately under some conditions but is supposed to try to give employees 5 days notice.  

Q: How many hours do I need in order to qualify for FMLA?
A: You must have worked 1250 hours during the 12 months prior to the start of your leave.

Q: When am I eligible for bereavement leave?
A: If you are a permanent or probationary full-time State employee, you are entitled to bereavement leave following the death of a parent, stepparent, spouse, domestic partner (as defined in accordance with Family Code section 297), child, grandchild, grandparent, brother, sister, stepchild, or the death of any person residing in the immediate household of the employee at the time of death. 

This provision of the contract has some conditions. You can read more about our contract’s bereavement leave provision online at seiu1000.org