Fairfax Worker’s Coalition (703)-383-1200 10500 Sager Ave. Suite C Fairfax, VA 22030WWW.FFXWC.ORG

APRIL / 2020

NEWSSILENT SPRING…

APRIL / 2020

Fairfax Worker’s Coalition (703)-383-1200 10500 Sager Ave. Suite C Fairfax, VA 22030WWW.FFXWC.ORG

AT I-66 LANDFILL, WORKERS ARE STILL OUT THERE I-66 Transfer station is where the trashends up- until it’s transferred to some-where else. Every day these essentialworkers are processing trash and recy-cling from the entire county.

Luis Pagan and Felipe Feliciano work in the Household Hazardous Waste

2

section of the Landfill, where citizens come to drop off paint, insecticides, and sometimes even more dangerous substances like asbestos (they’re not supposed to, but sometimes they try).

Despite the Coronavirus, Hazardous Waste disposal stays open, and this past Saturday hundreds of vehicles lined up all the way to West Ox road to Luis’ and Felipe’s workstation in the back.

Along with all our members at I-66, Felipe and Luis are doing their best to work with citizens who continue to come into the facility despite being urged to stay at home.

The men and women at I-66 are out there on the front line of the COVID crisis, risking their safety. Let’s hope the public understands the dangers they face and thinks about how they can reduce their visits to the facility.

OWEN KYER For 18 years, Owen Kyer has worked at performing the difficult task of collect-ing the trash and recycling for county citizens. There’s no teleworking for Owen. He’s an essential and emergen-cy services employee.

Recently Owen spoke to the Washing-ton Post about how his concerns with the Coronavirus. Saying his supervi-sors at first did not take it seriously. Thanks to Owen and other members, as well as managers, trash and recy-cling are now limited to contained trash only.

Exposure to potentially dangerous substances are nothing new for Owen and his fellow members. They have encountered everything from medi-cal waste to toxic substances on their routes, which start at 0600 every day. They are disregarded by motorists; sometimes they are hit by careless drivers.

Trash and recycling is the 5th most dangerous job in America according to the Department of Labor. During this time of crisis, remember to thank Owen and all his co-workers who are out here every day.

APRIL / 2020

Do your ever think about sewage? You should. Imagine what life would be like without these folks handling it. Our community depends on Noman Cole to keep it clean and safe.

Our members at Noman Cole Sewage Treatment Plant on Route 1 in Lorton are working tirelessly on the front lines to protect Fairfax County. These folks rarely get any recognition, and they work in dangerous conditions and with toxic chemicals.

3

NOMAN COLE: ESSENTIAL BUT NOT ALWAYS APPRECIATED (UNTIL YOU NEED THEM)

Currently NC’s employees are working in different shift formations to cover all the operational needs of the plant, and preparing for round the clock shifts, even living at the plant, as need-ed in the event of a larger emergency. Plant Manager Mike McGrath recently participated in a union sponsored tele-conference with us; his willingness to listen was much appreciated.

FWC member Monique Hampton has worked for the Department of Family Services (DFS) for almost 20 years. Her job is to process claims for needy citizens who require food stamps, Med-icaid, and other assistance programs.

Even before COVID-19 hit, Monique’s self-sufficiency section of DFS was overwhelmed. Many workers were pressing to get voluntarily demoted because of the lack of workers and high volume. Now some workers are saying the case load has quadrupled- and sure to get worse as unemployment soars to Depression era levels.

Monique is working from home, but some of her colleagues are still in the office. They are dedicated to helping as many people as they can as quickly as they can. But they’re under tremen-dous pressure. Families are counting on them and they’re doing their best.

As much as firefighters and police, Monique and her fellow Human Ser-vice workers are fighting to protect and serve the public. You might never see them, but they’re on the front line of the COVID crisis.

IN DFS and CSB, OUR MEMBERS KEEP WORKING

APRIL / 2020

Fairfax Worker’s Coalition (703)-383-1200 10500 Sager Ave. Suite C Fairfax, VA 22030WWW.FFXWC.ORG

4

We’re pleased to announce that recent-ly retired Braddock District Supervisor, John Cook has joined the FWC team as legal counsel.

John served as Braddock’s representa-tive on the Board of Supervisors from March 2009 to January 2020. He has extensive experience in the areas of labor law, FMLA, FLSA, discrimi-nation and ADA. He is the founding partner of the firm Cook, Craig, and Francuzenko PLCC, with 31 years experience in representing workers, small businesses, and others in need. He is a graduate of George Washing-ton University Law, and has served this County with distinction for many years.

Long a voice of reason and progress within the Board and the community, FWC is proud to have John working with us.

JOHN COOK JOINS FWC TEAM

Every day, hard working County employees deploy on the front line of a dangerous environment that exposes them to toxins, waste, and unknown hazards. Other county workers engage in a daily routine of trying to help our most vulnerable citizens, facing diffi-cult challenges and sometimes unpre-dictable anger.

Our firefighter/paramedics and police, right? No, I’m talking about our work-ers in trash, recycling, and our workers in the social service agencies, including CSB, (Community Services Board) and DFS (Department of Family Service). I’m talking about the folks that work in Wastewater, Stormwater, and other hazardous environments.

Department of Labor statistics now rate refuse and recycling as the 5th most dangerous occupation in the country, well ahead of police and fire. Yet when we think of people who risk their lives, we think of first responders. I was one in this county for 26 years. But our strong union (IAFF LOCAL 2068) never stops pushing for more safety measures, and together we have made our jobs safer.

Now the Covid-19 crisis has reminded us of the dangers in the jobs of our other essential employees. Designated by the County as essential personnel, they are still working on the front lines- each and every day. They are ex-posed to potentially dangerous refuse,

HAZARDOUS DUTY PAY- LONG OVERDUE AND NOW MORE THAN EVER

noxious chemicals, and sometimes unknown hazards. Yet just like the firefighters and police, they are expect-ed to be there.

The same is true of our social services people. Their clients can’t always be treated by videoconferencing or Zoom meetings. They need help and super-vision. We have members in group homes, tending to their clients, and “social distancing” is not possible. We have members working in homeless shelters that are unsafe to worker and resident alike.

Yet these workers continue to serve, even in the face of exposure to this awful disease.

It’s time to recognize their sacrifice, and danger, just as we do our first responders. In the face of the Corona-virus, they’re risking just as much.

Senate minority leader Charles Schum-er has proposed hazardous duty pay to the nation’s essential workers. Fairfax County could lead in this effort with-out waiting for Congress to act.

Let’s get this started- it’s long overdue. And COVID-19 should remind us to value these workers who have been left behind. Many jurisdictions are doing this- and Fairfax can as well. It’s sim-ple economic justice.

AUTHOR: DAVE LYONS

APRIL / 2020

No one was surprised at the County’s decision to eliminate the proposed increases in employee compensation. As County Executive Hill said, “This is the new abnormal.” And there will be further pain to be sure.

But as CE Hill said, the pain will be shared. We hope this means everybody, including senior management as needed. Tens of thousands of Virginians are now unemployed. There will be more to come. Revenues likely will continue to fall. So just getting angry at losing this deserved compensation is understand-able but not a feasible, or even moral, position to take.

County workers deserve the promised compensation, and more.

BUDGET NEWS: IT’S NOT GOOD. WE NEED A PLAN FOR NOW AND LATER

So, if it’s not going to happen now, can we at least have a plan for later?

• In the early 90’s and at other times,compensation was lost. But it canbe restored through future compen-sation. The firefighters and publicsafety did.

• We have long argued for a reservefund for employee compensation.Now it’s needed more than ever.

• We need to look at alternative meansof compensation. FWC will be pro-posing ideas like service credit forfront line workers that could help inretirement calculation. This wouldprovide a real incentive to stay, andwould be financially sound as it isspread over several years dependingon the individual.

• Paid Family Leave (PFL) needs tohappen. It’s clear that employees aregoing to be pushed onto unemploy-ment rolls at a hopping maximumof $378/week. No one knows how orwhen the federal help will start.

• We need to look at stopping any in-creases in insurance premiums. It’s aburden people don’t need now.

We need to save money as well. Please come forward with your ideas on sav-ings and we’ll move them forward.

This needs to be a team effort. As the only union led and owned by County employees, this is our fight, together. Let’s try and get past our usual dynamic and truly learn to work together.

Syracuse Post Editor Arthur Brisbane is the first credited with the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In that spirit, we offer the fol-lowing headline and photo, which is re-produced exactly as it appeared in a widely distributed flyer about “containing” the COVID-19 virus.

This message from an other county union is worth a caption. Please submit your best line to fwcin-formation@yahoo.com OR fairfaxworkerscoali-tion@outlook.com (Prize is a free bottle of hand sanitizer and a free video of Dr. Fauci explaining “social distancing.”

Common Sense Contest

5

APRIL / 2020

Fairfax Worker’s Coalition (703)-383-1200 10500 Sager Ave. Suite C Fairfax, VA 22030WWW.FFXWC.ORG

Your Partner for Long Term Success

Partner with the experts:

Provided by The Fairfax Workers Coalition

No matter what your level of wealth or experience, working with us can help you pursue, achieve and protect your goals. Together, we’ll go through a comprehensive process for managing your financial life and creating a long-term plan customized to your needs. Your plan will include:

• Accumulation: how to growth your wealth• Retirement planning: how to distribute your assets in

a tax-advantaged way• Estate planning: how to preserve your assets• Risk management: how to protect your assets• Taxation: how to minimize your tax burden

Union Benefits: -Guaranteed Life Insurance with optionfor Long Term Care-Guaranteed Disability Insurance-Accident and Cancer/Critical Illness-Worksite Financial Education-Auto, Home and Business Insurance-Social Security Analysis-Business Evaluations

Individuals -Financial Planning-Life Insurance-Disability Insurance-Long Term Care Insurance-Investments-College Planning-Retirement Planning-Estate Planning-Life Settlements

Omnia Benefits 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 430 Columbia, MD 21044 (443) 347-9627 admin@omniabenefits.com

Please call for a consultation

6

APRIL / 2020

People are understandably upset about what’s happening, and they rightfully haven’t always been happy with the County’s response. But with all we’re doing to make sure workers are treated fairly, we need to remember those who we work for every day.

Our community is going to be hit with record unemployment, sickness, and most of all fear. People will be in need like never before. A super-hot economy is being replaced with Depression like conditions almost overnight.

FWC is maintaining and expanding our partnership with community organiza-

7

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT US: THE COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP

tions that are on the front line of the ravages of COVID-19. Good Shepherd Church in Burke is closed but is ac-cepting drop off donations. Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HA-CAN) in Falls Church needs donations. Now the FWC is partnering with Ris-ing Hope Church on Route 1 (Russell Road). For those of you who don’t know the work of this great church, the bulk of their ministry is helping the homeless community in the Route One area. Reverend Keary Kincannon has been a fixture on Route One for over 30 years, helping all those in need.

There have been a lot of issues with the response from management during this crisis but it’s not all bad.

At Noman Cole (the sewage treatment plant on Route 1) lab technicians are making hand sanitizer for use for all county workers. It’s being distributed to DPWES, Parks, and other agencies. Great work by our county employees! Check out http://fairfaxcounty.share-point.com/sites/DPWES/works-for-us/SitePages/Environmental-Lab-Produc-es-Homemade-Hand-Sanitizer.aspx)

GOOD NEWS: COUNTY WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT WORK TOGETHER ON COVID-19

I-66, I-95 and Newington have workedhard to push for changes in trashcollection and recycling. Loose trashand recycling are not longer pickedup, reducing the possible spread of thedisease on curbside materials. Gloves,masks, and sanitizer are now avail-able (if not let us know) and FWC isproviding re-useable cotton masks tomembers (or anyone) if needed. Con-tact Ivette Monney (Ivette.monney@

Now, he’s telling us that donations are shrinking, and food stores are getting smaller. They need help.

We’ve made a donation and expect to make more, but let us know if you’re willing to put a donation box in your work site.

Whatever happens with the pandemic, the only way we’ll ever truly recover is to take care of each other and respond to those in need.

fairfaxcounty.gov) or catch her video if you’d like to see them and how they work.

If you have a story about how your agency is responding (good or bad) let us know.

5

Having issues in the workplace?• Workplace Bullying• Discrimination• Unfairness• Disciplinary Action

Contact us! We’re here to help!

APRIL / 2020

Fairfax Worker’s Coalition (703)-383-1200 10500 Sager Ave. Suite C Fairfax, VA 22030WWW.FFXWC.ORG

Fairfax Workers Coalition Authorization for Deduction of Dues Active County Employees

The Fairfax Workers’ Coalition (FWC) is an independent voice for all Fairfax County employees, not affiliated or controlled by any outside organization. Its purpose is to give Fairfax County workers a true voice in a group that is transparent, open to all, truly run by its members and democratic in every aspect of its operations. All financial statements will be open, and deci-sions will be made by the membership. We need an independent voice that truly represents the needs of Fairfax employees.

Please join us today in this effort to bring democracy back to Fairfax County workers’ representation.

I, the undersigned, hereby apply for membership in the Fairfax Workers’ Coalition (FWC) as my duly authorized representa-tive on matters relating to my workplace issues, pay, benefits, retirement and health care. Please consider this your authority to abide by the Constitution and By Laws of FWC.

I hereby authorize my employer, the Fairfax County government, to deduct from my earnings the current dues of $10 per pay period, only subject to change by an open membership vote in accordance with FWC’s Constitution and By Laws.

Fairfax Workers Coalition Authorization for Deduction of Dues Active County Employees

I hereby certify that the regular dues of this organization for the above-named member are currently established at $10.00 biweekly.

WELCOME TO YOUR INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR FAIRFAX COUNTY WORKERS!

FOR USE BY FFXWC OFFICIAL

NAME OF EMPLOYEE Last Name, First Name, Middle COUNTY AGENCY & FOCUS I.D. #

MAILING ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP

HOME PHONE MOBLE PHONE EMAIL ADDRESS (non-county)

SIGNATURE OF EMPLOYEE DATE PRINTED NAME

SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED UNION OFFICIAL DATE

8