John,
From the start of this rapidly emerging health crisis, AFGE has been pushing for immediate action to help protect you and the public we serve – and winning important victories.
Each week we will send you important updates and an overview of the actions we're taking to fight for the health and safety of government employees.
Maximizing Telework
On March 6, we sent a letter
to the head of the Office of Personnel Management requesting that OPM
immediately allow all federal employees to telework if able. After taking
piecemeal steps, the Office of Management and Budget on March 17 finally
issued a direct call for all agencies to maximize telework across the nation and to ensure steps
are in place to restrict access to federal facilities.
Protections
AFGE was successful in persuading OPM to ask the insurance companies that
cover participants in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to
relax refill eligibility dates and requirements in light of the coronavirus
pandemic. We also called for the most effective personal protective equipment, full health care coverage, and hazardous duty pay — winning an important victory just today in getting TSA to allow employees to wear N95 masks. We called for
federal agencies to enact continuity of operations plans to minimize the risk of community spread.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave
AFGE made sure federal employees are entitled to emergency paid sick
leave that was included in the Families First Act. This emergency paid sick
leave is on top of the normal paid sick leave federal employees already
get. We are still working for paid family and medical leave.
AFGE Member Hardship Benefits
Numerous AFGE member benefit partners are providing updates and assistance for those who use their services. Participants in our Union Plus Mortgage, Credit Card, Personal Loan, or Supplemental Insurance programs may be eligible for additional hardship assistance through the Mortgage Assistance Program and Union Plus Hardship Help. We also have updates on how the coronavirus outbreak has impacted benefits such as credit counseling, car rentals and vacation tours. Click here for more information on these benefit updates.
Aggressive Media Strategy
AFGE has appeared in over 550 articles about coronavirus, reaching over 5 million people with an estimated publicity value of over $1 million. We have been leading a media strategy in response to the unique needs of our members at VA, SSA, BOP, TSA, DoD, and other agencies. We have led media coverage in national, regional and local markets. Nationally, AFGE leaders have been featured in: The Associated Press, the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, Buzzfeed, Forbes, Good Morning America, and many others.
Online Resources
We continue to update our coronavirus resources web page daily. The site currently has nearly 36,000 views. We are generating our own stories about how the virus is impacting workers across the country. Our most read articles include:
Please regularly check afge.org/Coronavirus to view important coronavirus updates.
Note: Information on this site is not intended to substitute for actual medical care or professional medical advice. If you believe you are, or may be ill, contact your primary care health provider immediately. Information on this website may change as the situation/recommendations/resources evolve. Please check back frequently.
In Solidarity,
Dr. Everett Kelley
AFGE National President
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