As we hope you all know, AFGE, along with Heidi Burakiewicz of the law firm Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch (“KCNF”), filed the first lawsuit on behalf of workers arising out of the pandemic. Now we need to spread the word among our members that it is time to sign up for the lawsuit.

The COVID-19 Hazard Pay Lawsuit electronic sign-up form is available at https://www.HazardPayLawsuit.com/.

Here are some IMPORTANT FACTS about the case:

1. You MUST fill out and submit the form on the website to join the case and be eligible to receive damages.

Unlike traditional class actions where people are automatically included, you MUST sign up to be part of a case pending at the Court of Federal Claims or alleging a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). Only the people who fill out and submit the necessary forms will be eligible to recover damages from our case.

The link to the sign-up form is: https://www.HazardPayLawsuit.com/.

2. The case is for ALL affected Union Members.                                                                                                                                           Our lawsuit was filed on behalf of all eligible federal Union employees who were exposed to COVID-19 during the performance of their official duties as long as their position description does not take into account exposure to infectious diseases like COVID-19. As we have said before, we are sending this message to let you know that AFGE has you covered.

3. AFGE and Heidi Burakiewicz, a partner at KCNF, have been leading the fight to ensure that federal workers who put their health and safety on the line by reporting to work during the COVID-19 pandemic receive hazard pay.

We are proud to have filed the first lawsuit on behalf of workers arising out of the pandemic, but unfortunately as our case proceeded, several other lawsuits were filed seeking hazard pay for certain groups of federal employees. In one of those cases, the judge dismissed the case. The attorney in that case is appealing the dismissal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The government has moved to stay our case until that appeal is decided.

We always knew this was going to be a tough fight, and that it could be a lengthy fight. But we know it’s a fight worth having – one that workers should win.

AFGE is committed to continuing to fight to assure that eligible federal employees are compensated for the risks they face of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.

We are disheartened that the pandemic continues to negatively affect so many of our members and their families. That is why we will continue to pursue this matter in the courts and will continue to get the message out that federal employees deserve hazard pay.

Again, you can sign up to be part of the lawsuit at: https://www.HazardPayLawsuit.com/.

You will find more information about the case on the website. Please remember, you MUST fill out and submit the necessary forms to be eligible to recover damages from our case. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact KCNF by email at Covid19HazardPay@kcnlaw.com or by calling the law firm on the phone during normal business hours at 202-331-9260.

To make sure you receive emails from the KCNF about this lawsuit, please add Covid19HazardPay@kcnlaw.com to your email address book.