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AFGE Family,

AFGE has been steadfast in our push for immediate action to help protect our members and the public we serve.

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.

MARYLAND, VIRGINIA SENATORS URGE ADMINISTRATION TO HALT PLAN TO RETURN FEDS TO WORKSITES PREMATURELY

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) called on the Trump administration to stop its plans to bring back federal workers to their worksites amid the coronavirus outbreak.  

In a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Russell T. Vought and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Michael J. Rigas, the senators urged the administration to issue clearer guidance to implement maximum telework throughout the ongoing pandemic.  

The senators said the current OPM/OMB guidance conflicts with those of state and local governments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Click here to learn more about how lawmakers are advocating for the safety of government workers.

SUPPORT THE SAFE LINE SPEEDS IN COVID-19 ACT!


Slaughterhouses and processing plants have failed miserably to protect workers from the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus. This has resulted in more than 32,000 workers testing positive for the virus and over 120 workers and 4 inspectors having died from COVID-19. Now they want to increase line speeds, posing greater risk to food inspectors and other workers.

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We need lawmakers to co-sponsor H.R. 7251, the Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act.This bill, introduced by Congresswoman Fudge (D-OH), would protect workers, animals, and consumers from the dangers posed by higher line speeds in poultry, pig and cattle slaughter and processing plants. This bill would prohibit meat processing and slaughter facilities from operating at dangerously high speeds that prevent social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.


ACT NOW TO STOP A NEW ANTI-UNION EEOC RULE

When the Chair of the EEOC put out a proposed regulation designed to simultaneously undermine the union and take away the best possible representation federal employees have in pursuing an EEO claim, thousands of AFGE members took action to oppose the regulation.

Now the EEOC has reopened the comment period on this regulation and we again must show our opposition.

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With our entire nation examining how we can ensure fair treatment of all Americans, regardless of race, color and diversity that makes us stronger, this is exactly the wrong time to make it harder to bring forth a claim of discrimination. EEOC has an important civil rights mission and with this role it should be promoting robust enforcement, not making access harder for those who are vulnerable.

Also, due to COVID-19, federal employees critically need the assistance of their union reps when it comes to reasonable accommodation of disabilities that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Likewise, COVID-19 may raise issues for those in the protected age group or pose discriminatory treatment based on national origin.

Click here to take action NOW and submit a comment opposing this anti-union EEOC rule!

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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