City of Santa Clara - File #: 20-1050

• File #: 20-1050
• Version: 1
• Type: Public Hearing/General Business
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 10/20/2020
• In control: Council and Authorities Concurrent Meeting
• On agenda: 10/27/2020
• Title: Action on (1) Emergency Ordinance to Add Chapter 9.70 to enact COVID-19 Worker Recall Protections for Building Service, Food Service and Hotel Service Workers; and (2) Introduction of an Ordinance to Add Chapter 9.65 to provide Hotel Service Workers Retention Rights

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/27/2020	1	Council and Authorities Concurrent Meeting	Approved	Pass
10/27/2020	1	Council and Authorities Concurrent Meeting	Approved	Pass

REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on (1) Emergency Ordinance to Add Chapter 9.70 to enact COVID-19 Worker Recall Protections for Building Service, Food Service and Hotel Service Workers; and (2) Introduction of an Ordinance to Add Chapter 9.65 to provide Hotel Service Workers Retention Rights

Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing and Transportation Development

BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara has been severely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19) and proclaimed a Local State of Emergency on March 11, 2020. Further, on May 4, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-60-20, which directed individuals living in the state of California to continue staying at their home or place of residence, until further notice, which ultimately resulted in building service, food service and hotel employers in the City to discharge, layoff and furlough workers at a massive scale.

Many thousands of building service, food service and hotel workers have been separated from their jobs during the pandemic, and many more are expected to face separation in the coming months. While federal, state, and local programs have provided a modicum of support to Santa Clara's building service, food service and hotel workers in the short-term, what these workers need most is the promise of a return to their previous jobs as the pandemic recedes and business returns. This will help ensure Santa Clara's building service, food service and hotel employers honor their former employees' right to return and will speed the transition back to a functioning labor market, lessening the damage to the City's economy.

Further, it has also become increasingly likely that a change of hotel ownership or operation during the COVID-19 pandemic may occur and existing employees should have a chance to retain their jobs. Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor submitted a written petition to add an agenda item for discussion by the full Council to...