On Friday, NFFE National President Randy Erwin co-hosted a federal labor conference call with Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen to plan the next steps for legislation to address the growing COVID-19 crisis. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen serve as stalwarts for federal employees in the senate, often leading the charge to improve the lives and careers of the civilian workforce that serves the American people. The conference call last Friday proved to be no different as both senators agreed with federal labor leaders that much must be done quickly to improve the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 response across the government.
President Erwin talked with the senators along with other labor leaders at great length and in very specific detail about the impact that the lack of government guidance and preparedness has had on agencies, federal employees, NFFE members, and the public.
“This administration has dropped the ball more than once,” stated President Erwin on the call. “In no uncertain terms, the White House left the federal workforce largely on its own, failing to provide the leadership, response policies, and the protective equipment needed to keep the government running safely and effectively. Sadly, we have already seen federal employees die from the coronavirus, and we will see more deaths before this pandemic is over. We must do better. What we’ve seen is completely unacceptable.”
Discussions continue with Senate and House leaders on a legislative package meant to improve agency reporting, engage management communications, install proper safety and equipment at facilities, expand telework and leave policies, increase hazard pay eligibility, provide child care assistance and other workforce initiatives to help federal employees and their families through the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.