The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis and Staff Union Agree to COVID-19 Safety Measures and Staff Protections

 
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RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 29, 2021 - This month, TCI United negotiated and finalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) relating to COVID-19-related safety measures and staff protections with the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis (TCI) leadership. Both parties were able to agree on appropriate policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace and to protect the well-being of staff. 

The main components of TCI United’s MOU are: 

  • Safety: TCI United was able to secure a voluntary return to office and work-related travel policy, featuring extensive health and safety efforts.

  • Remote work-related stipends: TCI United was able to codify pre-existing recurring monthly stipends to cover part of increased costs associated with remote work.

  • Required in-person meetings: The agreement includes up to three required in-person meetings during 2021. TCI United and leadership agreed on health precautions for these meetings, including adequate physical distance, required masks, required vaccination, and consideration of local COVID risk levels when deciding whether to hold the meetings in person.

  • Staff protections: TCI United was also able to include language specifying that, in the absence of a formal CBA grievance process, a unit member’s choice not to participate in the voluntary return to office will not impact the unit member’s employment status or performance evaluation. 

“The process demonstrated that, through collaboration and open communication, the union and management are able to come to a mutual understanding and transform workplace policies so that they work for everyone,” said the TCI United bargaining committee. “We look forward to collaborating further with leadership as we begin contract negotiations.”

About NPEU: 

The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), IFPTE Local 70 represents professionals employed at over 40 nonprofit organizations, including employees at the Economic Policy Institute, the Center for American Progress, and Community Change. NPEU gives nonprofit workers a voice to strengthen their workplaces and continue to do work that makes a difference in people’s lives.

 
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