Mayor Kate Gallego gave the State of the City speech today at 11:30. Click here to watch.

The day I started at the city 18 years ago, during the new employee orientation, a Unit 2 (AFSCME) Union Representative told me “Don’t join the union, it’s a waste of money! They must represent you regardless.” For the next 17 years, I had taken that attitude to heart and never joined. My attitude was “Why do I need a union? I do not do anything wrong that would cause me to need one!”

 

Well, let’s fast forward 17 years from my start at the city. With Covid and all the uncertainty surrounding the working from home, vaccination requirements, etc. I had decided to look in to joining. Wow, I did not know of all the benefits that the Unit 7 (ASPTEA) union included. I decided to join.

 

About 6 weeks after I joined ASPTEA, EOD had notified me that I was under investigation. I was feeling a bit confused, upset, and at a loss. I felt like my reputation of integrity and excellence was under attack.

 

I was embarrassed to call ASPTEA and ask for help (especially with the attitude I had toward unions the past 17 years). From the very first phone call and through the entire investigation, ASPTEA “had my back.” Not only did the ASPTEA representative have my back, but he listened and advised without judgement.

 

During the investigation, I stood on the shoulders of ASPTEA, and I am happy to report, EOD has closed the case with no cause or evidence that support a violation and no further action will be taken by EOD.

 

I would like to thank the ASPTEA leadership for the personal time, advice, and encouragement you gave me and for your continuing commitment to all current and future ASPTEA members. ASPTEA leadership and support team, thank you for helping me in a time of need.

 

With much gratitude and respect,

 

ASPTEA Member

With the most recent public health data showing COVID-19 Community levels improving significantly in most parts of the country, including Maricopa County, the City of Phoenix is prepared to resume the process of bringing more of our teleworkers back to the workplace. We’re also announcing a few updates to COVID programs and resources that were established to support employees at the height of the pandemic.

  

Phase 2B of the Return to the Workplace Plan (RTWP)

 

In January of this year, we announced a temporary hold on Phase 2B of the Return to the Workplace (RTW) plan, after COVID cases spiked in Maricopa County. We’ve been in Phase 2 of the RTWP since June of 2021. During this time, workplace capacity in areas approved for telework has been at 50%. Today, more than 2 years after the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve set Monday, May 9, as the start of Phase 2B.

 

What’s changing in Phase 2B?

 

Phase 2B will bring workplace capacity to between 50-80% in areas that have been teleworking.

Phase 2B allows for continued telework at the Department Head’s discretion, for anyone who has applied and been approved for ongoing telework.

Approved telework status or schedules may change based on operational needs.

There will be no cap on the number of employees who can attend outdoor events, however, attendees should continue to practice physical distancing and NO sharing of food is permitted. 

COVID-19 related participation restrictions for Parks and Recreation facilities and day camps as well as Phoenix Public Library programs have been lifted, but physical distancing and safety measures will still be practiced as much as possible.

HSD senior centers will move to 75% capacity.

If you haven’t already submitted an application for ongoing telework, you may be required to return to the workplace on May 9. It’s important to note that approval for ongoing or long-term telework is not guaranteed. Also, telework is largely based on the operational needs of each department and is ultimately decided by the department head. An employee’s leadership role and job responsibilities are considered when deciding how often an employee can work from home.

 

ARPA Premium Pay

 

The City Council has extended the deadline for ARPA premium pay to June 30, 2022. As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Phoenix City Council approved an amendment to Pay Ordinance S-47689, authorizing the City Manager to provide premium pay to eligible employees. Most city employees already received the one-time premium payment, but here’s what you need to know if you qualify for ARPA premium pay. 

 

City employees in Units 1-8 who do not telework more than two days per week as of May 9 are eligible for the payment

Payments will be issued in the July 29, 2022, paycheck in accordance with the following terms: 

One time $500 payment for all eligible full-time employees who have not already received the payment, and an additional $1,500 for eligible full-time employees who are vaccinated and have not already received the payment

One time $250 payment for all eligible non-seasonal part-time employees who have not already received the payment, and an additional $750 for eligible non-seasonal part-time employees who are vaccinated and have not already received the payment

Additional considerations:

An employee who is a middle manager or higher does not qualify for premium pay

An employee teleworking more than two days per week does not qualify for premium pay

To qualify for the additional $1,500 ($750 for part time employees) you must submit your vaccine card to the HR Connection Center by June 30, 2022, using the same submission process for the $75 Vaccine Safety Award. 

Employees requesting a vaccine accommodation must submit the request by May 31, 2022 to allow time for review. You may use either the medical or religious accommodation request form.

Employees that have already received the full ARPA premium payment are not eligible for an additional payment, however, eligible employees who received a partial payment and now submit a vaccine card may receive the remainder of the payment

 

City Hall COVID-19 Testing

 

With the infection rate for COVID-19 declining, the City will be shutting down the COVID testing site at Phoenix City Hall, effective May 4, 2022. Employees will still have access to free live-virus testing at the Employee Healthcare Clinic in downtown Phoenix.

Tests are administered Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. – 5:40 p.m. by appointment only.

The City of Phoenix Employee Healthcare Clinic is located inside the Banner Urgent Care in downtown Phoenix at 1 N. Central Avenue (corner of First and Washington streets).

A photo ID and health insurance card are required at the time of your visit for a COVID-19 test and any other service at the Employee Healthcare Clinic.

Employees can schedule an appointment through Banner's online scheduling portal.

Created by UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, HeForShe is a global effort to engage men and boys in removing the social and cultural barriers that prevent women and girls from achieving their potential, and thus together positively reshaping society. The achievement of gender equality requires an inclusive approach that recognizes the crucial role of men and boys as partners for women’s rights, and as having needs of their own in the formulation of that balance. HeForShe invites men and boys to build on the work of the women’s movement as equal partners in the crafting and implementation of a shared vision of gender equality that will benefit all of humanity.

Applications are now being accepted for the Annual Cusimano Education Awards. This year ASPTEA will be giving out 5 $1000 awards to the dependents of active members. Click here for the application and further instructions.

The ASPTEA office will be closed for the next few weeks while renovations are being performed. If you need any assistance please contact us via phone or e-mail. We will let you know as soon as construction is complete.