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NTEU Objects to Task Force's Screening Testing Program
Updated On: Jun 16, 2022

NTEU Objects to Task Force’s Screening Testing Program

Federal employees should no longer be subject to the Task Force’s screening testing program for 
COVID-19, according to a letter NTEU National President Tony Reardon sent to the administration 
officials today.

In following up on previous discussions with the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force, Reardon 
outlined the union’s objections and asked for an immediate end to the testing program.

“The current plan simply does not accomplish the goal of halting the spread of COVID-19 in the 
workplace and reflects outdated policies that are no longer applicable based on current conditions, 
which have changed since the program was first announced in January 2021,” the letter states.

The same reasons the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently rescinded the requirement 
for travelers entering the U.S. to test negative also apply to the federal workforce, including 
high vaccination rates and the availability of therapeutic treatments.

“Further, the current screening-testing programs being conducted by federal agencies are expensive, 
time consuming and do little to protect the workforce,” the letter states.

Fully vaccinated employees are not required to be tested, even though they are also contracting and 
transmitting the latest variants of COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests have proven to be less effective 
in detecting the latest variants and take longer to reveal a positive result.

“Funds spent on this insufficient testing program would be better allocated to doing the important 
work of the federal government. It is time to reevaluate the screening testing program based on the 
circumstances as they exist today and end this requirement immediately,” Reardon wrote.

NTEU continues to recommend vaccinations against COVID-19 as one of the most effective ways to 
reduce the likelihood of severe illness and death.


 
 
NTEU Chapter 143
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