Federal employees, labor union sue U.S. government for no hazard pay during coronavirus

A group of federal employees is suing the U.S. government for not providing hazard pay while they work during the coronavirus. 

The class action suit for the five employees – working at the Bureau of Prisons or the departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs – was filed on their behalf by the union American Federation of Government Employees and the Washington, D.C., law firm  Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch.

“From January 27, 2020 through the present and continuing and ongoing, plaintiffs and others similarly situated have performed work with or in close proximity to objects, surfaces, and/or individuals infected with COVID-19 without sufficient protective devices,” in violation of federal code, the suit claims. 

The suit, filed Friday in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, seeks back pay, plus interest and related legal fees. 

Lawyers for the case say the suit represents all federal employees is the same situation as their clients.