5/2/09: NTEU is moving aggressively to demand appropriate steps to protect employees at the nation’s air, land, and sea ports of entry from the possibility of contracting swine flu. NTEU National President Colleen Kelley has asked senior management in the Department of Homeland Security to modify its ban against Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers and Transportation Security Officers wearing masks, and permit employees to don a mask at their discretion. She has pointed out to DHS and CBP that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has said that a traveler could be contagious with the disease without showing symptoms, and that the ban on wearing masks by employees undercuts the safety afforded by that protection. NTEU believes the best course is to act with an abundance of caution. President Kelley also pointed out that Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance telling employees to maintain a distance of at least six feet between themselves and someone who appears to be ill is virtually impossible for CBP employees.

In addition, President Kelley has sent a letter to the acting administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) seeking her immediate attention to the impact on Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) of OPM guidance telling them to maintain a distance of at least six feet between themselves and someone who appears to be ill. That is virtually impossible for TSOs in the screening process, particularly those assigned pat-down, wanding, and boarding pass checking responsibilities. She has requested that TSOs have ready access to hand-washing facilities and that those assigned to perform functions in closer proximity than six feet be provided the option of wearing protective masks and gloves.

At the SEC, Chapter 293 leaders have urged the agency to move ahead with steps to ensure that an effective plan is in place to deal with a possible outbreak, including approving ad hoc telework applications for all employees, which would permit them to work from home in the event of an office closing, public transit issues or other problems that could arise.