John,

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 in our fight for the health and safety of government employees.

FEDERAL WORKERS FEEL UNSAFE AT WORK DURING COVID-19

Nearly 8 in 10 federal employees who have been working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic say they feel unsafe returning to work at this time, while more than 70% of employees working on-site say their agencies are not doing enough to keep them safe, according to a worker survey conducted by AFGE.

AFGE conducted the survey from Aug. 5-12, receiving nearly 2,200 responses from members working at many different departments and agencies. Nearly 56% of respondents currently are working remotely, while the rest are physically reporting to their worksites.

Click here to review the results from this workplace survey.

HOW TO USE THE RETURN TO WORK INFORMATION REQUEST TEMPLATE

We have developed a return to work information request template intended to help you check the boxes for the work the agency needs to do before drafting a return to work plan.  

If any number of employees were allowed to work remotely during the pandemic, your agency is contemplating returning them to work. Even if they don’t yet have a policy (or haven’t shared that one is being developed), they are planning for one. We will have a right to bargain over that plan. Some of the bargaining will be substantive, and some of it will just be procedures and appropriate arrangements —just like when we bargain a CBA.

The health and safety requirements for returning employees to work are significant. The amount of planning an agency needs to do to begin returning employees to work is substantial. The requirements set out by OSHA and OPM lay out the parameters of the sort of work an agency should be doing, and those represent the foundation for this information request.

Click here to download the Return to Work Information Request Template.

STAY CONNECTED WITH MEMBERS WHILE BEING APART

As we continue to adjust to life during this pandemic, we explore new ways to stay connected. Connecting virtually has become even more important given the current circumstances. We’ve pulled together a few tips on how to stay connected with your members and activists as physical gatherings are limited. These tips are also great to keep in mind even when we can get back together again.  

Click here for six tips on how to virtually stay connected with union activists.

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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