Brothers and Sisters,

AFGE members are on the move – and momentum is on our side. Federal and D.C. workers are winning major victories, and we are committed to keeping you informed as these victories happen. Check out the latest:

BREAKING NEWS: Today, the Office of Personnel Management released long awaited guidance on the emergency paid leave program authorized in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Click here for additional information regarding the guidance and a helpful Q&A document.

WHY THIS MATTERS: AFGE lobbied extensively for this important emergency leave allotment for government workers. There are 8 qualifying circumstances related to whether you or certain relatives, like your children or an elderly family member you care for, are affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If you meet one of those qualifying circumstances, then you could get up to 15 weeks of emergency paid leave. However, if you aren’t covered by Title 5, like workers at TSA and certain VA workers, you have a different fund with a different set of rules controlled by your agency. This guidance is only for those workers covered by the OPM fund. Please note that the OPM guidance makes clear that the emergency paid leave is being granted on a conditional basis from March 11, 2021 until September 30, 2021. In addition, the leave doesn’t count as time in service for retirement purposes.

Stay tuned for more positive news!

In Solidarity,

AFGE Breaking News

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