More than 1,000 officers with San Jose’s police union will no longer have limited hours of parental leave to spend with family.
City officials have expanded the existing 40 hours of paid leave for workers to 320 hours, with all of San Jose’s major unions becoming eligible as of Oct. 22 — including officers with the San Jose Police Department. The benefit is part of last year’s negotiations with Staff Up San Jose , a coalition of city employee unions. Workers threatened to strike last year over lack of salary increases and family leave.
“Paid parental leave is a critical benefit that will help us meet our commitment to the 30×30 pledge, increasing the representation of women amongst the ranks of our sworn police officers,” newly-appointed Police Chief Paul Joseph told San José Spotlight. “This benefit will better enable all San Jose police officers to balance the responsibilities of work and family.”
Police officials pledged earlier this year to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030 through what’s been dubbed the 30×30 Initiative.