3-16-20 Update
As we should all be aware, last week Governor Lujan Grisham declared a State of Emergency, and issued a Public Health Order directing all state agencies to take immediate action to minimize the spread of COVID-19, while continuing to provide essential services to the citizens of New Mexico. The Governor’s office has been in close communication with CWA leadership, as well as the leadership of AFSCME, regarding the potential impact to state employees. Every effort is being made to balance these needs fairly.
All state employees will be informed by their respective agencies on how their specific work will be handled, whether continuing to report to work, working remotely, (i.e.-telecommuting), or on an as-needed basis. There are many variables, so not all work and service delivery situations have been worked out as of now, but we are confident that they soon will be. Please be patient. This IS an emergency.
To facilitate this, the Governor has issued an additional all agency directive, and clarifying media release, (see attached). Key points of the directive include:
● Closing all state museums, state historic sites, state parks and cultural institutions to the public effective Monday morning; state visitors centers were previously closed to the public
● In government offices that provide direct service (for example, MVD), limiting staff and moving to an alternative or remote model of service; all other state government buildings and leased state offices are closed to the public
● Completing the transition of all employees who are able to work remotely to a remote work model.
CWA strongly supports the Governor’s proactive approach to this serious, and unprecedented situation. We urge all member’s full cooperation with emergency provisions. Please be aware that this is a fluid situation, with policies being shaped on-the-fly. Member concerns, need to be brought to our attention quickly, and will be addressed on a case by case basis. Please contact the CWA Local 7076 office at, (505) 955-8534, or via email at, contact@cwa7076.org with such concerns, or questions.
Please remember, as public employees, we provide essential services that make our communities function and our fellow citizens rely upon. We simply must rise to this challenge because so much is at stake.
In solidarity,
Dan Secrist
Executive VP
CWA Local 7076