Please review these coronavirus updates.

IMPORTANT: This information should not be downloaded using government equipment, read during duty time or sent to others using government equipment, because it suggests action to be taken in support or against legislation. Do not use your government email address or government phone in contacting your lawmakers. Do not forward this email to government or home email addresses as it contains AFGE member information specific to you.

John,

AFGE has been steadfast in our push for immediate action to help protect our members and the public we serve. And, we've won some important victories.

In this week's newsletter we've included important updates and an overview of the actions we've taken in the last week to fight for the health and safety of government employees.

LATEST HOUSE BILL INCLUDES AFGE PRIORITIES

AFGE strongly supports passage of House legislation released Tuesday that would provide federal workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic with many of the enhanced protections and benefits the union has been championing. More than 10,000 AFGE leaders and activists signed our petition to get Congress to prioritize front-line government workers.

The legislation, named the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, includes many of the priorities AFGE has been pushing for Congress to adopt, most recently in dual letters sent Tuesday to members of the House and Senate.

Provisions included in the House bill would provide much-needed help and support to nurses and other health-care providers at veterans’ hospitals, to correctional officers and staff in our federal prisons, to federal meat and poultry inspectors at processing plants, and all the workers whose lives have been endangered or otherwise disrupted by this deadly contagion.

Click here to read more about AFGE's priorities included in this legislation.

AFGE SLAMS VA FOR HAZARD PAY COMMENTS
AFGE is calling out VA leadership for defending their decision not to provide hazard pay to front-line health care providers who are risking their health and safety as they work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is preposterous to say that front-line VA employees are not due hazard pay because the VA has finally begun to provide employees with the protections they’ve been asking for since the beginning of this pandemic. That is a slap in the face to the employees who continue to put their health at risk each day, to the 1,300 employees who have tested positive for COVID-19, and to the 28 families who have lost a loved one due to being exposed to the virus at work.

Click here to read our full statement regarding the VA's reckless remarks.

BEST PRACTICES FOR WHISTLEBLOWING

There may come a time when you need to report waste, fraud, and/or abuse at your agency. Becoming a whistleblower can be daunting. Click the video below to review best practices for whistleblowing.

Screenshot of video that includes 5 animated characters and the headline best practices for whistleblowing

METLIFE HEALTHCARE HEROES

AFGE partner MetLife is offering members of healthcare organizations online estate planning services, healthcare proxy, wills and power of attorney from May 4 through June 30 at no cost. These services will be available at MetLife.com/Heroes and will be provided by Willing, a MetLife company.

AFGE members, their spouses, children, extended family members, or friends who work in the healthcare industry are encouraged to take advantage of this benefit. The benefit is open to anyone in the U.S. regardless of relationship to MetLife or the labor movement.

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.

Sincerely,

Dr. Everett Kelley
AFGE National President

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