[updated 1-20-2022]
As the Omicron variant surges, state employees need Gov Abbott to STEP UP NOW!
Ignoring the needs of TSEU members continues to be a health hazard in 2022! Governor Abbott has been implementing an uneven approach to state employees’ safety- just like he has for all Texans. Scoring political points among his base of supporters trumps science, safety, and public health. Instead of making decisions to protect Texans, Gov. Abbott has hitched his wagon to those who deride federal guidelines while crying for local control and liberty, only to then limit local decision making in Texas communities. These politically based decisions have resulted in increased infection and exposure to COVID-19 for thousands of state and university employees, and those in our communities.
COVID is not going away. The omicron variant, which doctors say appears to be as contagious as the measles, could wind up sending more people to the hospital than during previous surges — even if it is a milder version of the virus — simply due to the sheer volume of people it’s infecting. On New Years Eve, Gov. Abbott asked for help from the Federal Government to get COVID-19 under control.
TSEU calls on the Texas leaders to enact the following:
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No further re-openings of State Offices or Universities should occur until the CDC recommended “Downward trajectory (or near-zero incidence) of documented cases over a 14-day period” is achieved.
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State facilities should train one individual in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) to provide training, answer questions, and administer on-site management of their COVID-19 prevention and response activities.
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The State of Texas must make public the number of COVID-19 infections, and deaths of state employees to assess risk for current workers and potential applicants.
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Official guidelines need to be established for the paid quarantine of a state workers infected with COVID.
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Guidelines also need to be established to close infected offices for 24 hours to properly disinfect after confirmed case of COVID.
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HERO PAY must be given to ALL state workers while COVID protocols are in place to stabilize the workforce and prevent additional turnover.