Presidential PLATFORM
Chapter 282 President, Anthony W. Lee, JD
Dear Chapter 282,
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Dear NTEU Chapter 282 Members,
On Monday, FDA employees began returning to the office full-time, 5 days per week due to the illegal return to office (RTO) order by HHS that NTEU is challenging. FDA leadership has failed to adequately prepare for the influx of people to our facilities, and the return has been incredibly frustrating and challenging. Please extend patience and grace to your fellow employees as we all navigate this cluster together.
If you’re looking for a way to get involved and to fight back, please document, document, document! NTEU needs evidence of the ridiculous working conditions as we fight the multiple violations of our union contract, including this RTO order.
NTEU Chapter 282 RTO Survey
Please complete this survey on your RTO experience:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/282RTO
Things to keep in mind
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Every building has a posted capacity limit. Take note of the limits in your building. Your local fire marshal has the authority to enforce building capacity limits.
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has laws about the number of working toilets per employee. Employers are also required to provide soap, towels or hand dryers, and toilet paper.
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OSHA also has laws on extension cords – they cannot be plugged in to each other to make a longer cord, nor can they be run through doorways, windows, or walls. They must not be a tripping hazard.
What to do with your documentation
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Complete the survey and document evidence of egregious working conditions, long lines, and safety concerns. NTEU 282 is collecting evidence at NTEU282@gmail.com .
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Do not send images with confidential or proprietary information.
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Consider filing a complaint with OSHA or your local fire marshal.
Contact your members of Congress and tell your story of how HHS is violating our union contract. Please do this on your own time, at home, using your own personal device: Legislative Action Center - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU .
Visit our website: Home | NTEU282 (282nteu.org). Explore the latest news and resources—we encourage your active participation!
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In Solidarity,
Anthony Lee
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Join the Union:
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If you haven’t already, consider joining the union: https://www.nteu.org/join . It’s a powerful way to have your voice heard and actively participate in shaping our workplace.
Your Voice Matters:
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Attend the upcoming meetings.
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Engage in constructive dialogue.
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Raise any concerns or questions you may have.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment. Our shared efforts will shape the future of the Human Foods Program and FDA.
BREAKING: 282's very own Podcast it out
Reminder
Virtual Town Hall and Faces of the Federal Workforce Campaign
In one week, NTEU will hold our first-ever Virtual Town Hall, your chance to learn more about how NTEU is fighting back against the barrage of threats from this administration. Thousands of members have RSVP’d for the event on Wednesday, March 26 from 8 to 10 pm (EDT)—have you?
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Register and submit a question by Monday, March 24 at noon (EDT).
On the morning of Wednesday, March 26, those who registered will receive a link to a private page to watch the event in real time. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and closed captioning will be offered. If you cannot make the live event, a recording will be available in early April.
Please note, you will need to log in to your NTEU account to watch the livestream and recording. For questions about the Virtual Town Hall, please email NTEU Director of Communications and Public Relations Mike Givens at mike.givens@nteu.org.
3/16 Telework & Remote Work BREAKING NEWS
On Monday, FDA employees will start returning to the office full-time, 5 days per week. FDA leadership has failed to adequately prepare for the influx of people to our facilities, and we know that this is going to be an incredibly frustrating, challenging time. Please extend patience and grace to your fellow employees as we all navigate this cluster together.
If you’re looking for something to do or a way to fight back, please document, document, document! NTEU needs evidence of the ridiculous working conditions as we fight the multiple violations of our union contract, including this RTO order.
Examples of Things to Document
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ï‚· Time – how long does it take to find parking each day? How long did you wait to get through security? Did you have enough time to purchase food or reheat food from home on your 30 min lunch?
ï‚· Overcrowding – Are there lines for bathrooms, elevators, food and water, microwaves, etc.? Are you assigned to work in a conference room, hallway, overcrowded office? How far did you have to park if there were no spots on
campus?
ï‚· Safety concerns – Tangles of extension cords? Lack of soap or toilet paper? Clean and sanitary facilities? Lack of PPE and equipment for lab workers?
ï‚· Confidentiality concerns – Are you able to maintain the required privacy/confidentiality of your work with the overcrowding?
Things to keep in mind
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ï‚· Every building has a posted capacity limit. Take note of the limits in your building. Your local fire marshal has the authority to enforce building capacity limits.
ï‚· OSHA has laws about the number of working toilets per employee. Employers are also required to provide soap, towels or hand dryers, and toilet paper.
ï‚· OSHA also has laws on extension cords – they cannot be plugged in to each other to make a longer cord, nor can they be run through doorways, windows, or walls. They must not be a tripping hazard. What to do with your documentation
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ï‚· Send pictures of egregious working conditions, long lines, and safety concerns to your chapter. NTEU 282 is collecting evidence at NTEU282RTO@gmail.com.
o Do not send images with confidential or proprietary information.
ï‚· Consider filing a complaint with OSHA or your local fire marshal.
ï‚· Contact your members of Congress and tell your story
Hold the Line. DO NOT RESIGN!
Another message has been sent directly to the federal workforce from the OPM group behind “the fork in the road” messaging, titled “FORK IN THE ROAD FAQs”. The message is written to entice you to leave your career behind by resigning in return for vague promises with NO GUARANTEES. The intent behind this offer is so they can achieve their stated goal of removing 10 percent or more of the federal workforce without any regard for the important work you do or the services you provide. Think about that. They don’t even try to hide their disdain for you by making outright false and condescending statements. How dare they suggest that your career equates to “lower productivity jobs” or suggest that you “stay at home and relax.” As they are falsely attacking employees who have for decades delivered for the American people while teleworking, they are now saying they will pay them to NOT work for months. Does that make any sense to you?
The responses to the FAQs are written to sell you on this offer. These statements do not reflect reality and are an insult to the highly skilled, and experienced workforce, vital to the functioning of all federal agencies. The guidance provided is questionable at best and possibly violates the rules of conduct that federal employees are required to follow.
Don’t be fooled. Don’t follow this OPM group’s guidance.
DO NOT RESIGN.
#STANDSTRONGTOGETHERNTEU
New(s) at 282
NTEU Chapter 282 has filed a formal petition with the FDA and GSA regarding the ongoing issue of Legionella bacteria contamination in several FDA buildings.
The presence of Legionella bacteria in the water in any FDA building is unacceptable.
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The union strongly opposes the declaration of "full remediation" until:
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Every building has been definitively shown to be free of Legionella bacteria.
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All recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including those outlined in the CDC Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE), have been fully implemented.
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Crucially, the CDC evaluation and recommendations are still outstanding.
Join the Petition:
We urge you to sign NTEU282's petition demanding a safe and healthy work environment.
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Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all FDA employees.
Find out more about the CBA