Settlement obtains union priorities together with security and office flexibilities.
AFGE Council 216 filed an unfair labor follow cost towards the company in Could after EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows ordered staff who’ve been working remotely with nice success because the begin of the COVID-19 pandemic to return to bodily workplaces with out first finishing a reentry settlement with the union, which is a violation of the Federal Service Labor-Relations Administration Statute.
In July, the FLRA issued a criticism towards the company validating the union’s cost that the company had violated the regulation by failing to barter in good religion with the union earlier than ordering staff again to workplaces in Could.
On Nov. 22, the company and Council 216 signed off on a complete memorandum of understanding that ensures workplace security, grows office flexibilities, units phrases for safely offering in-person companies to the general public, and settles the FLRA criticism.
“Whereas this could have occurred in Could, we’re more than happy to have reached an settlement with the company that may lastly lock down well being and security measures for our worksites and for receiving the general public, in addition to enhance flexibilities whereas we negotiate phrases for a everlasting telework program,” AFGE Council 216 President Rachel Shonfield mentioned. “The settlement additionally features a memorandum of assurance that the company will abide by the federal labor relations statute and our collective bargaining settlement going ahead.”
Underneath the settlement, staff will report back to bodily workplaces for 3 days per biweekly pay interval for the primary two months of 2023 and improve to 4 days per pay interval beginning in March, whereas the company and union finalize phrases for a everlasting telework program. The settlement additionally extends via at the least Could 1 of subsequent 12 months a Maxiflex program that provides broader begin and cease instances for workers and commits the company to establishing a distant work plan that can be bargained with the union.
The company additionally agreed to finish joint well being and security inspections of all worksites and repair issues famous within the inspections inside agreed-upon timeframes.
“AFGE members at EEOC by no means stopped working for the American folks all through the pandemic – and by no means will,” Shonfield mentioned. “Our union-negotiated settlement makes certain staff can proceed delivering important companies to the American public each in-person and remotely.”
The American Federation of Authorities Employees (AFGE) is the most important federal worker union, representing 700,000 employees within the federal authorities and the federal government of the District of Columbia.
For the newest AFGE information and data, go to the AFGE Media Middle.
