Month: March 2020

While State/Local authorities issue orders restricting movements of the public within States and defining whom is essential to leave home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Passport Management continues to use its discretion to order non-essential employees to leave home and expose themselves to the risk of health, and to the penalties of any movement restriction orders by each state/local authority. The Union researched several of these orders and requested that Passport Services Management respect the dignity and health of not just the employee, but also the community. See attached Union Memo emailed to Passport Services Management.

 

Click Here to see attached memo.

The U.S. State Department continues to keep employees informed daily about health and safety concerning COVID-19, either with reminders and/or new information. Yesterday, with an all hands notice to U.S. State Department employees, guidance was provided on important situations involving COVID-19. The guidance explained instances such as a telework reminder, being healthy and subject to a quarantine, being diagnosed as infected, requirements for a doctor’s note, office closure for disinfection, among many other guidance to other scenarios. See attached U.S. State Department Notice for further details.

Click Here for Attachment

As COVID-19 spreads nationwide, leading to the carnage of closing twenty-one passport offices and leaving twelve passport offices still open, state and local officials have issued “shelter in place, stay at home orders” in many states and municipalities limiting movement of persons. Individuals not adhering to these orders in some areas, include fines and jail. It is now reported to the Union that at least two passport centers in different states, management is disregarding “stay at home orders” issued by state/local authorities and requiring employees to report to work, even though a public health issue is recognized. When the Union raised the issue to Management of movement restrictions because of “stay at home” orders for health and safety, one management official responded to the Union quoting,  “If an employee resides within Charleston city limits, they are subject to the stay-at-home ordinance effective tomorrow.  If they do not, there is no current restriction on their movement.” Then afterwards, on the same day, in an all hands e-mail notice to all the staff in the same passport center, Management addressed “stay at home” orders and movement restrictions in writing quoting, “Theworkplace, and not an employee’s place of residence determines whether they should or should not report to work under “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” ordinances.  Since CPC is not within Charleston city limits we are open.”  Furthermore, in another passport center, it is reported a “stay at home /shelter in place” is in order in another state with a passport agency that is closed for health and safety, yet the employees that live in that state with movement restrictions and work at the passport office in a different state that is open, management has ordered those employees to travel from the “stay at home” state and to report to their work site where the passport office is open, in which there is no “stay at home, shelter in place” in that state/municipality.

With the wrath of COVID-19 closing and restricting passport offices nationwide, this did not stop the Management and Union at the Minneapolis Passport Office with still offering limited services to the public during these times. The Management and Union made an Alternate Work Schedule Plan for a Continuity Of Operations Plan (COOP) to still render its limited services to the public and to balance the needs of the existing staff for flexibilities during COVID-19, see attached agreement.

Click Here for agreement.

From Your National Officers:

 

Please know that we understand and share your concerns regarding Passport Services and Covid-19 virus. We are in contact with Headquarters on what has become a daily basis to communicate those concerns to them and to get the most current information available. We are diligently working on proposals to present to Headquarters; unfortunately, the Covid-19 virus information and circumstances change faster than we can finish those proposals. Please know that we are actively working on new proposals that we hope will provide assistance and relief to us all.

 

From – iMail March 12, 2020

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I know there is much uncertainty surrounding the evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak that has now been classified as a global pandemic. Our daily routines are being affected by the cancellation of many events in an effort to limit the spread of the virus. I want each and every member of our IAM family to know that the IAM is taking all necessary action to keep all of us safe, while continuing the important work of our union.

The most important thing each of us can do now is to heed the advice of health officials. Please closely follow guidelines and monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to avoid being exposed to this virus is to:

– Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick
– Stay home and seek medical care if you are sick
– Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow
– Wear a facemask if you are sick
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily

I also encourage you to monitor the IAM Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center for more information, specific safety tips for our membership in the healthcare and transportation industries, as well as any updates on changes in IAM operations. Beginning this Saturday, March 14, we have made the decision to suspend programming at the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center for two weeks. We will closely monitor the situation and provide updates on all status changes.
To ensure that everything possible is being done to protect our membership at work, IAM Local Lodge Safety and Health Committees should meet with employers on steps being taken to mitigate the risk of virus transmission. Every employer has the responsibility to do everything necessary to keep its employees safe. Our union has a duty to hold employers responsible to that commitment.

The IAM Grand Lodge is working with elected officials to ensure that sufficient funding is available to respond to the outbreak and that steps are taken to protect jobs in industries that are especially affected by the pandemic.

Lastly, I want our membership to know that we will get through this difficult time together. Throughout our union’s 132-year history, we have always confronted great challenges. Our unity has pulled us through the toughest of times and this situation will be no different.

Let’s be smart, stay safe and continue our march toward dignity and justice for all working people.

Fraternally,

 

Robert Martinez Jr.
International President

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