On April 9, 2020, NVAC filed a National Grievance against the Agency for failing to comply with the emergency paid sick leave provisions set forth in the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (“FFCRA”). The FFCRA provides eligible employees with up to eighty (80) hours of emergency paid sick leave for qualifying reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 3, 2020, the Agency announced that it would “observe a temporary period of non-enforcement” of the FFCRA through April 17, 2020 so that it could “enact modifications to payroll systems and establish timekeeping procedures” related to the FFCRA. However, under the law, emergency paid sick leave became available on April 1, 2020. As a result of the Agency’s actions, AFGE bargaining unit employees have been wrongfully denied emergency paid sick leave. This violates federal law and our contract.
Further, the Agency’s actions constitute a change in conditions of employment. By failing to satisfy bargaining obligations with NVAC, the Agency violated the mid-term bargaining obligations in our contract and committed an unfair labor practice.
A copy of NG-4/9/20 is attached for your reference. If you have any questions concerning this National Grievance, please contact the NVAC Legal Team at [email protected].