Coronavirus Pandemic Updates *UPDATED May 4th*

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: MAY 4th

Today, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced the extension of COVID-19 Response Pay for two additional pay periods ending June 2nd, 2020. If you believe your classification has been left out in error, please contact [email protected] or call our office at 410-547-1515. 

The most recent list of classifications eligible for the COVID-19 Response Pay can be found on DBM's website: https://dbm.maryland.gov/employees/Documents/Report%20Pay%20Eligible%20Class%20List.pdf

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: May 1st

Yesterday, DBM announced that they were unwilling to meet with AFSCME 3 for our planned Labor Management Committee. When we sent the agenda below, DBM referred us to individual agencies to review their policies. Our union is attempting to work with DBM and the Hogan Administration to uniformly enforce policies to keep all workplaces safe and healthy. As many of our members know, there are significant issues across agencies on the implementation of all of our agenda items.

By refusing to meet and referring problems back to the agencies, DBM is abdicating their responsibility to manage and keep safe the state workforce during this crisis. Our union is continuing to fight for safer workplaces, clear plans on how to respond to a positive test in the workplace and adequate supplies of PPE for all state employees. If DBM does not find it a priority to hear from front line staff during the crisis, we will continue to work with our legislative and community allies to fight for a better and safer Maryland.

Agenda for AFSCME Council 3 and Department of Budget and Management
Labor Management Committee Meeting
April 30, 2020

1-Discussion of testing regime for state employees
2-PPEs and protection in the workplace-goals
3-Plans by institution/agency for the next phase of the crisis
4-Compensation for state employees during the Covid-19 crisis
5-Standardizing state policies
• Sick leave
• Movement between agencies
• Screening

Coronavirus Update: April 29th

Tomorrow, AFSCME Council 3 will be meeting with the Department of Budget and Management for a labor management committee meeting. Our union is continuing to push for transparency and safe workplaces during the pandemic. Below is our agenda. We will have an update Friday. Shop stewards, please get in touch with your Local President of Field Rep to get the latest update and info for the debrief call.

Agenda for AFSCME Council 3 and Department of Budget and Management
Labor Management Committee Meeting
April 30, 2020

1-Discussion of testing regime for state employees
2-PPEs and protection in the workplace-goals
3-Plans by institution/agency for the next phase of the crisis
4-Compensation for state employees during the Covid-19 crisis
5-Standardizing state policies
• Sick leave
• Movement between agencies
• Screening

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: APRIL 8TH

On April 1st, the Department of Budget and Management announced that some employees would receive COVID-19 Response Pay and an additional differential for working in “designated quarantines areas”. This is meant to address the problem created when the State took a giant leap back by cutting Emergency Pay last week.

AFSCME has been in daily negotiations with DBM to expand the list of titles receiving the pay differential, as well as initiating Agency level discussions. Here is the latest list of approved classifications (updated 4/7): https://www.afscmemd.org/system/files/report_pay_eligible_class_list_as_of_april_7_2020.pdf

If DBM insists “ Response Pay is not intended for every individual who has to report during this time. Report Response Pay is to be provided ONLY to classes where it has been determined that NO opportunity for social distancing exists.”

Do you have the ability to socially distance while working?

IF NOT, DBM needs to hear from you. We need YOUR help showing how deeply felt this issue is by state employees, and how wrong DBM is about the work that you do everyday.

Follow the link to send a letter to Secretary Brinkley and the Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director of Personnel Services to express our outrage: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/all-state-employees-deserve-covid-19-response-pay/

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: APRIL 7TH

*Attached is updated information received by the Council regarding COVID-19 Response Pay. Please review it thoroughly, and share it with your co-workers and abroad.
 
*For “Work-Day” coding instructions, you will see this under “COVID 19 Response Pay Job Aid”.
 
*New Expanded FMLA under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act- 12 weeks of job protected leave for employees who are unable to work due to caring for a child if the child’s school or child care provider/facility is unavailable due to the public health emergency.
 

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: APRIL 6TH

AFSCME members are on the front lines of the pandemic crisis. Whether you are reporting to work or working from home, together we keep our state functioning. To raise awareness about the number of state workers still on the front lines and increase the public’s awareness of the sacrifices our members make, we are calling on you to help us document this novel time period. 

If you can, please send us a picture or video that captures what it’s like to work during this time using the signs below. FIll in your answers and send a picture to [email protected]

Download the pictures here

PPE Protects: https://www.afscmemd.org/system/files/ppe_print2.pdf

#WEAERESSENTIAL: https://www.afscmemd.org/system/files/weareessential_print.pdf

Still Working For Maryland: https://www.afscmemd.org/system/files/telework4.5.pdf

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: APRIL 5th

Earlier today, AFSCME Maryland sent the correspondence to the Department of Budget and Management. Read the letter in full: https://www.afscmemd.org/system/files/lettertodbm4.5.2020.pdf

Although we have seen some movement on health and safety concerns in some facilities/offices, it is unfortunately not enough. We must see the following, at a minimum, at the 24/7 operations and offices open to the public immediately:

  1. Immediate and daily testing for the Coronavirus of all employees, patients, inmates, and any other ward of the state.
  2. Immediate and mandatory use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all employees going forward.
  3. Written plans for the handling of all employees, patients, inmates, and any other ward of the state that tests positive for the virus.

This is a matter of life or death and it must be addressed NOW! We are seeing the virus rapidly spread. There is no more time for inaction or debate on whether or not PPE’s are necessary. Anyone believing extra precaution is unwarranted at this point is reckless and should be ordered to stand down and step aside.

As a reminder, our Coronavirus hotline will be open over the weekend at 410-547-1515 from 9am-6pm on Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday as well 9am-7pm Monday-Friday. We will be monitoring the inbox at [email protected] to triage emerging issues. However, please continue to reach out to your field representative about ongoing issues.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: APRil 2nd

Yesterday, without negotiating with the union for state employees, DBM announced that some employees would receive COVID-19 Response Pay and an additional differential for working in “designated quarantines areas”. This is a step forward, after the State took a giant leap back by cutting Emergency pay last week, but not enough. 

AFSCME members are the frontline of the State’s response to the coronavirus and, as the Governor acknowledged earlier in the week, are at great risk due to the nation-wide shortage of personal protective equipment.  We are continuing to engage with the Department of Budget and Management about which job classifications get this pay adjustment, as well as, initiating Agency level discussions to improve compliance with safety procedures at every worksite state-wide. We are still engaging with DBM to determine specific job classifications across agencies and will share the final list as soon as we have it. 

This week, we have met with a number of key legislators and community groups to work together and fight for safer working conditions in all state facilities protecting the general public, wards of the state and frontline state employees.

Here’s what you can do to support that fight:

1.     Our union is urging members to contact the Joint COVID-19 Response Legislative Workgroup. These 24 legislators have been appointed by the House Speaker and the Senate President to monitor the effects of COVID-19 and advise the Governor and fellow Legislators on necessary actions. We are urging the COVID-19 Legislative Workgroup take every action possible to protect and support frontline staff performing critical functions in state offices and institutions.

Send an email now: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/wheres-the-plan-calling-on-the-covid-19-legislative-workgroup

2.     To raise awareness about the number of state workers still on the front lines and increase the public’s awareness of the sacrifices our members make, we are calling on you to help us document this novel time period.

If you can, please send us a picture or video that captures what it’s like to work during this time

  • Working from home? Send us a picture of your workstation.
  • Reporting to a secure facility? Take a selfie at the beginning of your shift and the end outside the facility.
  • Are you part of the skeleton crew still reporting to an office? Send us a picture of your empty offices and waiting rooms.

Have another idea? Send it and check out our facebook page to learn more about what your co-workers in state and higher education workplaces are doing across the State of Maryland.

Please send submissions to [email protected]

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: MARCH 27TH

Over the past 48 hours, AFSCME stewards and activists have reported in from agencies and worksites across the State of Maryland. We have gathered a variety of information to provide an up-to-date assessment of where practices and preparedness stand in various agencies after several weeks of pushing the Administration to do the responsible thing. 

Read the full report here: https://www.afscmemd.org/system/files/overview_covid-19_response_3_27_20.pdf

 As many of you know, we have attempted to engage DBM and USM in productive discussions about the pandemic for the last month with little substantive engagement. In order to shine light into your work on the frontlines, we are taking our assessment public and asking political and community allies to meet with and support us.

We wil continue to compile this report based on survey results and reports from shop stewards. We have reached out to every agency to immediately convene Emergency Labor Management Committee meetings. If you have feedback, please contact your local president, shop steward or field representative. 

As a reminder, our Coronavirus hotline will be open this weekend at 410-547-1515 from 9am-6pm on Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday. We will be monitoring the inbox at [email protected] to triage emerging issues. However, please continue to reach out to your field representative about ongoing issues.