Lonie Goldsberry, MMB, Local 701

We stewards are hearing many questions about the COVID-19 Leave Policy and telecommuting. I’m surprised by some of the pushback from supervisors and HR departments about both issues during these unprecedented times.

I recently represented a woman who has severe health problems and could become seriously ill if exposed to the coronavirus. Several people in her worksite were already in quarantine. Management kept denying her request for a VPN. I got involved and finally determined that I had to just draw the line and get her out of there. I sent an email to the ADA coordinator and said either they needed to give her a VPN immediately so she could telework or she would leave and be paid under COVID-19 Leave. She was out of there within an hour and received VPN the very next day.