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.

FEDS CARING FOR CHILDREN, FAMILY MEMBERS FACE COVID-RELATED STRESS WITH LITTLE SUPPORT FROM AGENCIES

A new survey of union members reveals that federal employees who are caregivers are facing emotional and financial stress and lack support from agencies while trying to balance work and home responsibilities.

According to a worker survey conducted by AFGE, the vast majority of federal employees caring for children or dependent family members say the coronavirus pandemic has substantially disrupted their care arrangements and has resulted in extra expenses.

Nearly 92% of federal employees with children say their childcare arrangements have been substantially disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while more than 68% of employees caring for dependent family members say the same.

Click here to read more about the challenges facing working families.

MASS MUTUAL HEALTHBRIDGE FOR FRONT LINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS

MassMutual is offering a free three year life insurance plan with a value of up to $25,000 to health care workers battling COVID-19. MassMutual is making extra efforts to help healthcare workers protect the ones they love.

Applications are now being accepted for eligible active healthcare workers nationwide (with the exception of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

• Click here to apply for MassMutual HealthBridge.
• Click here for more details on the HealthBridge program.

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.

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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