John,
AFGE has been steadfast in our push for 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.
STOP THE SENATE FROM FREEZING PAY IN 2021
The Republican-led Senate proposed overruling President Trump’s 1% raise for 2021. Instead, their fiscal 2021 appropriations bill would freeze wages for all federal workers next year. Federal workers risk their lives every day to provide services for all Americans, even during the worst health crisis in our lifetimes. There is no justification for denying civil servants a decent pay increase in 2021. We must call on lawmakers to reject this insulting proposal.
Please send a letter to your Senators telling them to oppose this attempt to freeze federal pay for 2021.
WEBINAR TOMORROW: COVID-19 OUTBREAK MANAGEMENT
This Thursday, Nov. 19 at 3:00 p.m. ET AFGE will be conducting a 2-hour webinar on coronavirus outbreaks in the workplace.
Workplace outbreaks are booming. Union officers, AFGE staff, and worksite representatives must learn how to handle an outbreak at their facility. This 2-hour class is designed to teach local and national leaders how to respond to complaints about unsafe working conditions and apply pressure to federal agencies that neglect proper safety and OSHA regulations. The following topics are included: communication with affected and at-risk workers, filing OSHA and CDC complaints, contacting government officials, claims for workers’ compensation, and whistleblower protections.
OWCP GUIDANCE FOR COVID-19 PROTOCOL FOR AGENCIES WITH HIGH EXPOSURE
Due to the high volume of Covid-19 exposure in several government agencies, we have compiled a list of actions to be taken in the event of a Covid-19 exposure on the worksite.
Click here to review the action items.
Please note: This guidance does not address specific case facts nor is it intended to be a substitute for individualized legal advice. This guidance does not create an attorney-client relationship nor is it an agreement to act as a representative in any case. Controlling law is subject to interpretation and/or change and should be reviewed carefully before taking any action, as AFGE is not responsible for errors or omissions in this guidance or any accompanying materials. This guidance is general in nature and has been prepared solely in order to assist AFGE members and officers with respect to COVID outbreaks in the workplace.
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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