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.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Millions of Americans continue to face hardship as they deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. AFGE's Women's and Fair Practices Departments have researched a number of resources available to help working families in need.

211: 2-1-1 is a national 24/7 hotline to connect people with community services such as housing, healthcare, financial assistance, legal safety, disaster relief, and healthcare. Additionally, callers will need to dial 2-1-1 to be connected to a community service representative to be directed to information on community services. Please note: financial assistance is not available through every 211.
CDC is offering a list of mental health resources, including crisis hotlines to assist people during the COVID-19 crisis. Please click here to view a list of crisis hotlines.
Candid Learning, a resource hub for the workplace, has provided a detailed list of emergency CoVID-19 resources, including grants for emergency food assistance programs for disabled veterans, Native Americans, state-by-state resources, state assistant programs and more. Please click here to view a list of emergency resources provided by Candid Learning.

RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Victims of domestic violence are particularly vulnerable during a global pandemic. Below are resources available for those who need support.

National Domestic Violence Hotline is available to help survivors; trained advocates are still available to provide support, 24 hours and 7 days a week. Please consider calling 1-800-799-7233 if you are experiencing domestic violence. They also offer online chat services and texting services (Text LOVEIS to 22522).
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is offering assistance to those who are experiencing sexual assault. Their support hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). They also are providing 24/7 services, including online chat.

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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