June 2, 2009

Message from the National President

Dear CBP Employee,

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent an all-employee message that purportedly set out a new "policy" on wearing protective masks to replace the existing guidelines. The problem, once again, is that DHS refuses to articulate a clear policy on your right to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks. Instead, this latest round of communications states that "DHS will continue to follow existing (Centers for Disease Control) and (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requirements for voluntary use of respiratory protection in managing its employees and PPE."

I have responded with a letter to DHS Under Secretary Elaine Duke emphasizing that both employees and NTEU have been very frustrated with the lack of a clear, written policy on the voluntary use of PPE. Employees deserve to understand the policies they are expected to follow, I told the under secretary.

I have asked DHS for a prompt response to ongoing questions NTEU and employees have. Specifically, what is DHS’s policy with respect to the voluntary wearing of respirators by employees performing passenger processing duties and by those who must be in close contact with individuals likely infected with the H1N1 virus? Swine flu cases have now been reported in all 50 states, and CBP continues to enforce an unwritten prohibition on the voluntary use of respirators. DHS's response, or lack thereof, is simply unacceptable.

As you may recall, Under Secretary Duke received sharp criticism on DHS’s response when she testified at last month’s hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce. I was on hand to provide the employee perspective, including some very compelling personal stories of CBP Officers who want to serve their country without putting their health and their families at risk. Following my testimony, Committee Chairman Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) expressed his desire to work with NTEU in drafting a legislative solution to this problem.
 
I will keep you updated as NTEU continues to push for all steps necessary to protect your health as you protect the nation at our ports of entry. For more information about NTEU’s efforts and swine flu, visit www.nteu.org/swineflu.aspx.