Federal Worker Safety Bill Advances to House Floor

The Chai Suthammanont Remembrance Act (H.R. 978), endorsed by NTEU, passed the House Committee on Oversight and Reform last week and now awaits a vote by the full House. The legislation requires federal agencies to publish specific safety plans for protecting the health of federal employees as office buildings reopen.

Under the bill, agencies would have to develop plans that address a wide range of health and safety protocols at the workplace, as well as vaccination accessibility, employee travel, visitor policies and how agencies will address employees who are medically high risk.

“This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA), would provide assurances that agencies are taking all the necessary steps to build a safe working environment as the pandemic begins to subside and more teleworking employees are allowed back into their place of work,” said National President Tony Reardon. “Together with the guidance of President Biden’s Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, we believe this legislation would give employees the information they need to feel secure upon their return.” Read more