NTEU Chapter 280 sent a message to OMS in support of efforts by our AFGE colleagues to convey employees’ fears and concerns about reopening to the senior leadership. NTEU has been similarly frustrated by the Agency’s lack of transparency around plans to reopen locations and require employees to return their offices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreHappy Fourth of July from NTEU Chapter 280!
Happy Fourth of July from NTEU Chapter 280!
Read MoreRegion 2 Attorneys Question Basis for Returning to Workplace
In a letter to Eric Schaaf, Regional Counsel of EPA Region 2, dozens of ORC attorneys called on him to stand up for their safety and convey their concerns to senior leadership regarding the unnecessary pressure to resume working at regional offices before the danger of the coronavirus pandemic has passed.
Read MoreA Statement from NTEU National President Tony Reardon
Like many of you, I watched the murder of George Floyd with disbelief, anger and deep sadness.
This horrific event sparked demonstrations and raised voices across our land that speak to centuries of racial and economic injustice, to violent actions that result in senseless deaths like those we've seen in Minneapolis, Baltimore, Dallas and far too many other communities. It is heartbreaking and infuriating that so many of us, our loved ones, friends, neighbors and community members are still fighting for an equal chance to succeed, to be recognized, to be heard, and fundamentally, to be able to live. The long history of racism in our country continues to this day and the frustration, anger and despair of Americans who have had enough is deafening.
As a labor union, we must stand up for those who feel voiceless by linking our arms with theirs and we must speak up and speak out in support of ALL those we represent. It is essential that we strive every day to protect employees from harassment, discrimination and targeting based on their color or race. We must level the playing field so that what matters are your skills and ability and only your skills and ability. That is our mission day in and day out—to fight for dignity and respect for EVERY federal employee. We are guided by the values that built this union and that we live by today and will follow tomorrow.
We must never stand by silently when we witness acts of oppression and inhumanity. That is not what we are about or who we are as a union. We are strong and proud. We are united in our belief that every individual matters and in our shared humanity. We must welcome all to our union because we recognize that we are truly strengthened by all. Federal employees are the backbone of this country and our country needs you now.
Stay safe, stay strong and let us stand together. Because together we can—we must—build a better future for our federal government and our nation, and all people who live under our flag.
NTEU Urges Congress to Monitor Employees' Return to Workplaces
NTEU sent letters to leaders of the House and Senate oversight committees urging them to monitor agencies as employees are called back to workplaces.
Read MoreHappy Mother's Day from NTEU!
This year, there’s extra cause for celebration: the first-ever paid parental leave program takes effect October 1st.
Happy Mother’s Day from NTEU and Chapter 280!
Read MoreNTEU Contacts Admin. Wheeler Regarding EPA’s Plan for a Safe Return to the Workplace
In preparation for the anticipated return of employees to their workplaces, NTEU continues to raise concerns and issues faced by frontline EPA employees during the coronavirus pandemic. We want to assure employees required to return to their worksites the safest possible return, while continuing to ensure teleworking employees have the support and equipment they need to effectively perform their jobs remotely.
Read MoreNational Capital Leaders Urge Continued Telework for Federal Employees
The governors of Maryland and Virginia and the mayor of Washington, D.C., sent a letter last week to the administration, urging the continuance of expanded telework policies for the federal workforce amid the coronavirus pandemic.
While the majority of federal employees are outside of Washington, D.C., the federal government has an overwhelming presence in the area.
Read MoreNTEU Demands Protections Before Reopening Federal Buildings
On April 27th, the National Treasury Employees Union released the health and safety conditions that must be met before federal employees are required to return to the workplace. “Most federal employees have never missed a beat during this pandemic, either successfully teleworking from home or continuing to report to duty because their job is not eligible for telework,” Reardon said. “But before those away from the office are required to return, NTEU will insist that some basic steps be taken to reduce the risks to their health and well-being.”
Read MoreOPM Guidance on Emergency Sick Leave
OPM has published additional, detailed guidance on the use of emergency sick leave granted by the Families First Corona Virus Response Act. By clicking here, you can access the more detailed guidance from OPM on the availability and use of the additional 80 hours of emergency sick leave authorized under the FFCRA.
Read MoreNTEU President Reardon Writes to Administrator Wheeler, Requests Overdue Briefing on Coronavirus Response
Last week, we emailed our bargaining to share what we were communicating to agency leadership about the needs and concerns of EPA employees. We have yet to receive a response from management.
During this time of crisis, when conditions and available information are changing daily, two weeks is far too long to go between union briefings. The unions serve as the voices of employees, and EPA is currently cutting out those voices when we think they are needed most. That is why NTEU President, Anthony Reardon, sent a letter this morning to Administrator Wheeler, requesting a briefing to engage with management to resolve the many issues and concerns that our bargaining unit members have communicated to us.
A copy of the letter is below:
We continue to value and appreciate the input of our membership and will keep fighting for the rights and benefits of EPA employees. We will provide updates as we receive them.
Increased Telework Options for EPA Employees During Coronavirus Pandemic
Today, in part in response to feedback from EPA union representatives including NTEU Chapter 280, EPA's Office of Mission Support (OMS) announced that it has waived several of the existing limitations on flexible work schedules to increase the options available to EPA employees working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Read MoreTelework Bill Introduced in the House and Senate
Last week, Representative Gerry Connolly reintroduced a bill (H.R. 6108) that would protect existing employee telework arrangements and encourage agencies to expand telework. The bill also provides a procedure that agencies must follow to justify any proposed reductions in telework and requires agencies to submit a report on the cost savings they achieve from telework. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) introduced a companion bill (S. 3428) today in the Senate.
Read MoreDC Declares a State of Emergency over Coronavirus
Today, at approximately 4:30 PM, DC declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency and recommended that “non-essential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions” be postponed or canceled. Mass gatherings are defined as events with 1,000 or more people in one location. These declarations allow Mayor Bowser to make use of a broader array of authorities to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Read MoreNTEU Launches Coronavirus Webpage
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.
Read MoreDon't Miss Your Chance at a FEEA Scholarship
Federal employees and their families headed to college should apply for financial help offered by the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA). The deadline for scholarship applications is just eight weeks away (March 25).
Read MoreNTEU is Sharing Our Members’ Stories . . . Tell Yours
NTEU's 'Telling Our Stories' campaign grew from the idea that our members do interesting and important work for our country—but it often goes unnoticed. We wanted to change that—and the best spokespeople to talk about your jobs are you!
Read MoreNTEU Sets Legislative Priorities for 2020
On Monday, January 13, 2020, NTEU legislative leaders from chapters across the country met to discuss NTEU’s legislative program and legislative agenda for the 2020 Legislative Conference. The following issues were selected as legislative priorities for 2020…
Read MoreA Historic Achievement: Paid Parental Leave for Federal Employees
The federal government will now be a more family-friendly employer with the historic approval of a paid parental leave program giving frontline civil servants the financial security to be at home during one of the most crucial times of their lives.
A 12-week paid parental leave program for federal employees is part of the defense policy bill that was signed into law on December 20, 2019. Starting October 1, 2020, federal employees will be able to use up to twelve weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or fostering of a child. The Office of Personnel Management is currently preparing draft implementing regulations, which the agency has indicated should be available for public comment in late spring.
Read MorePeoplePlus Update Improving Tracking of Credit Hours
The following is an update from EPA on improvements to PeoplePlus, Release 9, that allow employees on more kinds of schedules to track credit hours more accurately and easily. NTEU was actively involved in pushing the agency to make these important changes to improve employees’ ability to earn and record credit hours.
“As requested during the focus group discussions following the implementation of PeoplePlus 9.2, the agency was taking necessary steps to address concerns over the recording of credit hours. Please be advised that an update was made to PeoplePlus, Release 9. The release allows all employees on flexible schedules, including the Maxiflex schedule, to record earned credit hours daily in PeoplePlus, as opposed to recording earned credit hours only after fulfilling their biweekly work hour requirement.”
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