Support & resources for faculty impacted by wildfires from your union
Dear Faculty,
It is with heavy hearts that we begin the new year with the devastation caused by the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles-area. These disasters have impacted our own faculty and staff colleagues, and without a doubt our students. We want to extend our deepest sympathy to those of you who have been directly impacted. Whether you are dealing with personal loss, displacement, or are simply grappling with the collective grief these fires bring, please know that you are not alone - our strength lies in our solidarity.
We are committed to supporting one another during this challenging time. If you need assistance or know a fellow member who does, we have options. Our union has established the CFA Disaster Relief Fund, which provides limited financial resources to active CFA members who have experienced hardship due to a disaster. To access support or for more information about the program email membership@calfac.org. Please ensure to include receipts (pictures of the hotel folio, grocery receipts, etc.) to ensure the application is processed efficiently. We have also compiled a list of other resources for those affected, including temporary housing, financial assistance, and mental health support for Angelenos and some that are specific to union members directly. Many union resources are available to union members only, so if you are not a CFA member, please sign-up today: www.calfac.org/join-cfa. In addition, we are in contact with local organizations and disaster relief agencies to coordinate our efforts and provide aid where it is most needed.
Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones. If you are in immediate need of support or have suggestions for how we can better assist during this time, do not hesitate to contact us. The official start to the semester is Friday, January 17th, and the campus administration has closed campus until Monday, January 13th. Please stay alert to updates, as changes are foreseeable.
Relevant Faculty Rights protections from our collective bargaining agreement:
Article 23.19: Emergency Leave
An emergency leave with pay may be granted to a faculty unit employee by the President in the event of a natural catastrophe or an emergency situation that places the health or safety of the faculty unit employee or the employee’s immediate family in jeopardy. The President may also grant emergency leave to faculty unit employees who require leave due to violent crimes, domestic violence, and/or sexual assault. Such leaves shall normally be of short duration.
24.23.2: Natural Disaster and State of Emergency
Catastrophic leave for a natural disaster shall be leave for an employee who faces financial hardship because the employee has exhausted all of their accrued vacation credits; accrued sick leave credits; personal holiday credits; and CTO credits; and is unable to work due to the effect of a natural disaster on the employee’s principal residence.
We will be sharing updates via social media platforms in real-time via Instagram, Substack, and Facebook, and we will share via email only when necessary, so as to not overwhelm your inboxes.
Follow us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfaforgela/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cfaforgela/
Substack:
In Union,
CFA-LA Executive Board
CFA / SEIU Local 1983
Relief Funds and Resources
If you have any questions about the resources below, please contact Marcelle Alvarado, CFA Sr. Field Representative, at malvarado@calfac.org.
Union member resources
CFA Disaster Relief Fund for CFA Members
This fund is for CFA members who have been impacted by a natural disaster. Please include receipts and appropriate documents to expedite approvals. Link: https://www.calfac.org/disaster-relief-available-to-support-members-during-wildfires-3/
Labor Community Services
The LA County Federation of Labor via the Labor Community Services also provides housing assistance, food and meal distributions, etc. to union members and their families- this includes housing and utility assistance. For more information, please visit: https://thelafed.org/resource/california-wildfire-resources/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2Q3eNoyj9b4qJRH1XNdxy_ZRab-CTrf6YPoByGttkaeQ0uGMLnUghuwr0_aem_t2GGMETQXgToNUVdWcoGjw
SEIU CA
SEIU California Disaster Relief Fund for SEIU members, and donation link. Please note, CFA members are part of SEIU Local 1983. Link: https://seiuca.org/disaster-relief/
Other local resources for everyone:
Sign up for Emergency Alerts:
Sign up for the City of LA's emergency alert system, NotifyLA, here.
Sign up for Alert LA County emergency alerts here.
Additional local emergency alert systems for other municipalities in LA County can be found here.
Federal Resources:
FEMA offers fire management assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments for mitigation, management, and control of fires. Visit FEMA’s website or call 1-800-621-FEMA for more information.
LA County Resources:
The Los Angeles County Emergency Incident Response website has been activated. This website provides a mapping tool and lists real-time evacuation, shelter, and other information/resources related to the Palisades, Eaton, Franklin, and Hurst wildfires.
City of LA Resources:
The City of LA offers a comprehensive list of emergency preparedness and response resources. You can view those resources here.
Water and Power Outages:
Southern California Edison: Report outages here or call 800-611-1911.
Department of Water & Power: Report outages here or call 800-342-5397. Please conserve water during firefighting efforts and boil water for consumption due to potential contamination from ash.
LAUSD Impacts:
For a list of all school closures and or relocations, please click here. Affected schools are directly communicating with families. For updates, visit lausd.org. A Family Hotline is available at 213-443-1300.
Social Media Resources:
Follow these accounts for updates:
LA County Public Safety Partners:
Office of Emergency Management: @ReadyLACounty
LA County Fire: @LACoFDPIO
City of LA Public Safety Partners:
Airbnb Support for Those Affected by Wildfires:
Airbnb, in collaboration with 211 LA, is offering free temporary housing for residents displaced or forced to evacuate due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.