Category: COVID-19

Through May 25, 2020, the Postal Service may hire additional temporary employees called Function 1 Mail Processing Assistants and Function 4 Clerk Assistants. As with the other MOUs, career clerks and PSEs should be utilized up to the maximum allowable hours each week. Also, all new Clerk Assistants that are hired will be provided safety training and training/updates/stand-up talks on the current COVID19 policies and procedures at the USPS. Temporary Exception Period – Clerk Craft Staffing Function 1 & Function […]

The Families First Coronavirus Recovery Act (FFCRA) extends to postal employees some additional leave benefits due to the Coronavirus and the illness it causes–COVID-19. APWU represented employees, both career and non-career, are entitled to the leave provisions enacted by the FFCRA. Two new leave types are now extended to postal employees. Up to 80 hours of Emergency Paid Sick Leave for specific qualifying reasons. Public Health Emergency Leave, which amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), allowing employees […]

March 26, 2020 Share this article This pdf includes additional directives to district managers and postmasters.  Specifically dealing with retail units. It addresses social distancing, dealing with the hazmat question, increased cleaning frequencies, AND instructions to place/install  “cough/sneeze” barriers to protect employees.   DISTRICT MANAGERS AND POSTMASTERS As we have seen over the last several weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a drastic impact on the American people. During times of turbulence, however, the critical role […]

Mark Dimondstein March 25, 2020 Since the early days of the Postal Service, we postal workers have helped stitch the fabric of the country together. Even in times of crisis – whether natural disaster, conflict, or economic calamity – the Postal Service has always been there, steadily reaching every American home and business in their time of need. Today is a time of crisis unlike any we’ve seen in generations. A global pandemic threatens the […]

March 24, 2020 As the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, APWU leaders are in constant discussion with USPS management, demanding temporary leave policies, telework provisions where possible, and better safety policies, supplies, and equipment. “Our very first priority is ensuring that the Postal Service provides for the health and safety of our members,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “Postal workers are on the frontlines of the pandemic response. We need to ensure that the hardworking men and […]

March 23, 2020 As part of our ongoing collective response to the coronavirus pandemic and efforts to protect the health and safety of our members and their families, we have been meeting with USPS management. Today, the USPS issued the following letter to Area Vice Presidents stating the following: To the extent operationally practicable, managers and supervisors should accommodate employees who submit PS Form 3189, Request for Temporary Schedule Change for Personal Convenience as a result […]

Operations continue Health and well-being remains a priority

Your union officers are holding ongoing conversations with the Postal Service about COVID-19. We will continue to be in discussions with the Postal Service as the spread of the disease widens around the world and new information is learned. The APWU always prioritizes health and safety and is engaged on this issue. We are not allowing the Postal Service to take a passive approach to the risks of the disease. The most recent information on […]

March 18, 2020 Our first priority during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak has been ensuring the health and safety of our members and that of the public. To that end, today the union signed two memoranda of understanding with the Postal Service temporarily expanding paid leave for PSEs and expanding the use of dependent care leave for postal employees with unexpected childcare needs as a result of the pandemic. Members should consult the attached memoranda and […]

The coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, originating in China, has now spread to over 65 countries including to the United States. The APWU is continuing to monitor the situation and is in constant contact with the USPS about COVID-19. The Postal Service informed the APWU on Feb. 29, 2020, that an employee tested positive for the virus. Last week, the APWU initiated a meeting with USPS leadership to discuss their response to the virus. On March […]

March 4, 2020 The coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, originating in China, has now spread to over 65 countries including to the United States. The APWU is continuing to monitor the situation and is in constant contact with the USPS about COVID-19. The Postal Service informed the APWU on Feb. 29, 2020, that an employee tested positive for the virus. Last week, the APWU initiated a meeting with USPS leadership to discuss their response to the […]