Month: August 2021

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Due to the recent surge in COVID cases in passport centers and agencies around the country, the Union has sought support from Management to manage the risks. These proposals include returning to the flexible approach that had previously been implemented and had helped reduce the spread of COVID at offices for the past year and a half. The full request is available below.

 

NFFE1998  Request for COVID Support

As the end of the fiscal year starts to draw near, we felt it was time once again to touch on a couple of topics that seem to be hot button issues now.

The first issue that we want to talk about is the recent topic of COVID vaccine attestation and issues wrapped around the vaccine.  We really want everyone to please make sure they are doing things that will not harm their careers.  For everyone’s knowledge there are some things the Union can work to change and there are other things we have no say about regarding the vaccine.  One of the areas that we will have a hand in, is bargaining around testing.  We are in the question phase of testing with bargaining to come in the next week or two.  If anyone has thoughts or concerns, please don’t hesitate to pass them on to us via your local union steward.  It is important that we hear from as many of you as possible.

Our second topic is regarding the Safer Federal Work Force which in essence is an attempt to get everyone back to work in the safest manner possible.  How the Department will go about this is still yet to be determined, but we expect many changes. We just want to make sure that folks prepare for what may be a slew of trial-and-error initiatives as they (management) and we (Union/BUE) figure what works best for the employees and still meets the Department’s mission. As we learn more, and bargaining/discussion continue we will let everyone know as much as we can as soon as possible.

Finally, as a reminder please make sure you check the NFFE1998.org website for up-to-date information.  Sometimes we are not able to send out ALL BUE emails due to the time of day we receive information.  So, we always try to post the most recent information that we have to the website.

As always, none of this would be possible without all of you.

 

In Solidarity,

 

Lee Wentz and Your NFFE1998 National Officers

The NFFE 1998 national officers just received word from PMO that OMB and OPM are going to start requiring Vaccine Attestations from all DOS employees. This will most likely go live as early as tonight.

The Union is in a tough spot here because though they are willing to bargain with us on this, they have been instructed to do so POST implementation. Meaning they are going to do it no matter what and deal with the fall out afterwards.

As of right now it looks like they are just asking the question, letting you select what answer you want to give (vaccinated, only received 1 shot, not vaccinated, or decline to answer). It does not appear that they are asking for any actual medical documentation. You shouldn’t be required to provide any medical documentation. IF anyone asks you for medical documentation, please know you can speak with the Union first prior to giving anything.

All the emails and responses will be stored with MED only. It also appears that only one of two responses will be sent to your respective supervisors after your certification. The supervisors will only receive either, “This employee is not required to follow enhanced COVID-19 safety protocols,” or “this employee will be required to follow enhanced COVID-19 safety protocols.”

Enhanced protocols will include wearing a mask regardless of community transmission levels, physically distancing, and possible weekly tests for the COVID-19 virus. At this time the Union is already seeking to obtain Admin Time for anyone required to get a COVID test, as well as possible reimbursement for the tests.

We are all in this together, please everyone be safe!

 

NFFE1998 National Officers

 

Dear brothers and sisters of NFFE Local 1998,

 

As we all know, there has been much to read in the news about Vaccinations for Federal Employees. 

Even though it is becoming clearer every day that this is not a mandatory requirement, we feel it is important to make our stance known as NFFE1998. 

Because this appears to be a moving target and we have yet to get all the details regarding this subject, we make the following provisional statement:

• Safety of the workplace is paramount- we support efforts to increase vaccination rates to make the Federal workplace safe.
• There must be reasonable exemptions to the vaccine policy.
• Management must involve the Unions in arriving at the policy. Management must bargain with the Union on the details-to include, but is not limited to: who pays for testing, how much notice/warnings there will be, incentives, privacy, possible disciplinary action for not testing, etc.
• We want more focus on education, encouragement, and less on threats and discipline.

As we get more details and bargaining comes into play, more information will be forth coming.  In the meantime, if you have further questions don’t hesitate to reach out to your local steward or one of the NFFE1998 National Officers.

 

In Solidarity,

Your NFFE1998 National Officers