rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/comptrollers-office-should-be-teleworking-for-safety-of-all?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-comptrollers-office-should-be-teleworking-for-safety-of-all' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> AFSCME Council 3 https://actionnetwork.org/groups/afscme-council-3 https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg On November 10th, last Tuesday, in response to rapidly rising coronavirus numbers Governor Hogan increased statewide restrictions including announcing mandatory telework for all state workers. As of this week ending November 20th, Maryland has recorded a third new record for largest one-day increase of coronavirus cases. Despite this many frontline workers across the State of Maryland report they are not being allowed to telework or are being required to return to the office from telework. According to Maryland Department of Health data released Thursday morning, there were 2,910 new confirmed coronavirus cases (the highest single-day case count to date) and 19 new deaths. The statewide positivity rate currently sits at 7.19%. It's also the 16th consecutive day of at or more than 1,000 new cases reported in a day, the longest streak since the pandemic began. This is absurd. Governor Hogan publicly urges change and caution but refuses to order his Agency Secretaries to comply. His lack of action is directly putting state workers at risk. Take action now and write him urging him to order all agencies to mandate telework for all eligible job classifications. Governor Hogan needs to answer directly for his lack of action. How to get involved AFSCME Council 3 members are continuing to organize for healthy and safe workplaces across Maryland. Governor Hogan needs to act now to protect frontline workers and minimize the spread of COVID-19. In addition to writing this letter, AFSCME continues to campaign both through ongoing contract negotiations and Labor Management Committee negotiations to improve access to telework and standardized the statewide telework policy to protect workers health and safety. To get more involved in the telework campaign, please call the Member Resource Center to learn about the Telework Workgroup which meets weekly to plan campaign related activities to fight for a fair telework policy. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/comptrollers-office-should-be-teleworking-for-safety-of-all