COVID-19 AFFILIATE WORKING GROUP — AFL-CIO UPDATE

 

1)    Attached is a letter sent by the AFL-CIO and 29 union presidents last Thursday, calling on President Trump to require and make available necessary safety protections for essential workers.

AFL-CIO Letter to TrumpApril 9, 2020 in PDF

 

2)    Attached is a memorandum accompanying the letter to President Trump, which identifies immediate actions to provide protection for health care workers and all essential workers.

Memorandum: Immediate Action Needed in PDF

 

3)    Here is April 13th’s statement by President Trumka on the Council to Reopen America, which does not include a single worker advocate: https://aflcio.org/pressreleases/trumka-return-work-task-force-must-include-voices-workers

 

4)    Here is April 13th’s statement by Pelosi and Schumer on their priorities for interim Coronavirus legislation: https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/41320

 

5)    Here is guidance issued by HHS on Saturday on the requirement that group health plans and health insurance issuers cover COVID-19 testing, including blood tests for antibodies, without cost sharing: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/FFCRA-Part-42-FAQs.pdf

 

6)    Here is new guidance from DOL on 13 weeks of extended UI benefits, as provided by the CARES Act: https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=8452