The ongoing outbreak of coronavirus has understandably raised many questions and concerns for federal employees. NTEU, on your behalf, is pursuing answers. Just last week, the union launched a special section on the NTEU website that will be constantly updated with the latest information about your workplace safety.
NTEU has contacted each of the 33 federal agencies where we represent employees and asked for their pandemic or coronavirus plans. We have also requested briefings from each agency. Briefings are underway and information is starting to stream in from many agencies. All information is posted to the NTEU webpage as it is received, so union members are encouraged to check back often, particularly if you don’t immediately see your agency listed.
Your health and safety should be a priority for your agencies and NTEU is pressing them for details about the actions they are taking to ensure you are protected. Here are some of the issues we are asking agencies to address:
providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and anti-bacterial hand sanitizer;
protocols for notifying and testing employees exposed to members of the public who subsequently test positive for the virus;
aggressive use of telework;
changes to or canceling planned travel; and
contingency plans for office closures.
The webpage also includes general information from the Office of Personnel Management and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
NTEU will provide regular updates through email and on our website. As of this posting, EPA has only indicated that it would follow OPM and CDC guidance and has not provided agency-specific updates. Should you have specific questions or concerns, contact info@nteu280.org.