Washington, D.C., lifts vaccine and mask mandates in time for in-person Roofing Day in D.C. 2022
Mayor Muriel Bowser recently announced the end of many COVID-19 requirements in Washington, D.C. On Feb. 15, indoor venues no longer are required to verify that patrons are vaccinated. On March 1, masks no longer will be required at many indoor places except for public transit, rideshares, schools, hospitals and at businesses that want to require masking.
NRCA wanted to share this important update as registration is open for Roofing Day in D.C. 2022, one of the largest advocacy events in Washington, D.C., at www.nrca.net/roofingday. Registration is just $95 for company representatives and $35 for field workers, students and spouses.
Join fellow roofing professionals on Capitol Hill as we advocate for our industry! Congress must see and hear from you to understand the critical issues we face. Together, we can make a difference. Because of the increased security and logistics involved with visiting congressional offices, you must sign up by March 23 to participate!
White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment issues recommendations
On Feb. 7, the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment issued its report to the president to “promote worker organizing and collective bargaining for federal employees and for workers employed by public and private-sector employers.”
Some recommendations of note include:
- Increase union access to federal funding and grants
- Implement restrictions against federal contractors or grantees using federal funding for anti-worker activity
- Increase unions’ pre-decisional involvement to federal agency policymaking and participation in advisory committees
- Conduct expanded outreach (especially to young workers and underserved communities) to inform workers of their rights to collectively bargain and unionize, including via required posters and public service announcements
- Call for the Department of Labor to “continue to prioritize actions to prevent and remedy the misclassification of workers as independent contractors” and to do so through enforcement, partnerships with federal and state agencies, guidance, rules, education for employers and workers, and outreach
- Push for increased use of federal mediation services for employers and unions to reach a first collective bargaining agreement
The task force also requested an additional six months to report on the progress made and potentially provide additional recommendations as needed. It also advocated for passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act and National Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights to increase unionization and expand collective bargaining rights to more workers. However, despite the task force recommendations, it does not appear these bills have the votes to pass in the currently divided Congress.
Upcoming Dates of Interest
Feb 18: Federal government funding runs out unless new legislation is passed. NRCA anticipates this will happen and it will be extended to March 11.
Feb 21: Presidents Day
March 1: President Biden’s address to Congress
April 5-6: Roofing Day in D.C. 2022
