CFPB proposes premature end to workplace COVID-19 protections while the Delta variant surges

CFPB management has presented a proposal to the union Health & Safety Committee that would roll back current COVID-19 protections starting September 5th, including removing all indoor social distancing, mask requirements, and building capacity limits. Even though vaccines are widely available and so far marvelously successful beyond all expectations at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death, there is still unequal access to vaccines, widespread community transmission that puts the most vulnerable among us at risk, and uncertainty about the risk posed by new variants like the currently dominant Delta variant. Because of the highly contagious Delta variant (which scientists have now found produces a viral load 1000 times higher than the original virus) WHO has urged everyone to keep masking up indoors (including those of us who are vaccinated), the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended everyone mask in schools this fall and now there are reports the White House is considering re-introducing similar guidance for all to mask up indoors.

CFPB is also proposing removing the 20 hours a pay period of COVID-19 Admin Leave, which workers have used to recover from COVID-19 illness and hospitalization, care for elderly parents hospitalized with COVID-19, care for children attending remote schooling while quarantining, get vaccinated and recover from vaccine side effects, among many other necessities of the pandemic. CFPB is offering instead to provide a total of 8 hours of COVID-19 Admin Leave (not per pay period, that's TOTAL), starting September 5th.

Union members can read the details of CFPB's proposal here, alongside NTEU's initial comments and reactions. We're working on a response and will share it in the coming days. Know that we are banding together with our colleagues at our sister NTEU chapters at OCC, FDIC, SEC, CFTC, and NCUA to make sure that collectively we hold our agencies' leadership accountable to keeping workers safe. No one should need to take unnecessary risks in order to do our jobs. An injury to one is an injury to all.

We welcome your thoughts and concerns, especially if you or your members of your household are unable to be vaccinated (including children under 12), are immunocompromised, or are at higher risk of serious illness, as we are prioritizing the health and safety of the most affected and at risk. Email [email protected] with subject "COVID-19" or contact one of the Health and Safety Committee members listed on our website.