House Passes HEROES Act Relief Bill

The House on Friday passed a coronavirus legislative package that includes NTEU-backed provisions supporting and protecting federal employees during the pandemic. The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act includes premium pay for certain employees at risk of COVID-19 exposure at work, extended telework and other protections for federal employees. The premium pay of $13 per hour, capped at $10,000 for most federal workers, would be used for employees who have routine contact with the public or those who must report to a worksite where social distancing is not possible. Other NTEU-supported provisions in the legislation are:

• Continued telework for all eligible federal employees throughout the pandemic with incentives for agencies to expand their telework programs
• Allowing federal first responders, including CBP Officers, to stay in their current law enforcement retirement plans even if they are unable to meet the physical requirements of their position due to exposure to coronavirus and move to another civil service position
• A presumption of worksite illness for federal employees who work with the public and are diagnosed with COVID-19 for workers’ compensation purposes
• Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 treatment under the FEHBP
• Extending the emergency leave provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act to all federal employees