COVID-19 – San Jose Area Local 73

The Urgent Need for Congressional Funding to Save the Postal Service

(This article first appeared in the May/June 2020 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) The ongoing COVID-19 crisis places an unprecedented financial strain on the United States Postal Service, with plummeting mail volumes and billions in lost revenue. Without immediate and substantial funding by Congress, Postmaster General Brennan stated before Congress that the USPS will run out of cash before October, threatening the Constitutional role of the public Postal Service, its universal service mandate […]

Standing Up for Safe Jobs During COVID-19

Vance Zimmerman (This article first appeared in the May/June 2020 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) The past few months have been challenging for this country, especially for those of us considered essential front-line workers. Postal workers were called upon once again in a time of crisis to help keep communication and commerce flowing. You stepped up, you worked hard, and you showed how dedicated you are to every person in this country and […]

SAFELY REMOVE YOUR DISPOSABLE GLOVES

As a reminder to everyone to prevent cross contamination, please watch this video on how to safely remove your disposable gloves . Download, print and hang this flyer to show proper glove removal technique. Gloves should not be reused. They should be removed when employees take breaks or use the restroom. Gloves should be replaced if damaged or heavily soiled. These practices will help protect everyone.

NPR: The Postal Service Is Suffering Amid The Coronavirus

President Dimondstein appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered to talk about the Postal Service funding crisis. The nationally syndicated public radio show is broadcast to an audience of around 15 million listeners.

COVID-19 Emergency Considerations for Fiscal Year 2020 MS-47, TL-5 Line H Liabilities

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parties agree the following conditions will be applied when determining any MS-47, TL-5 Line H liabilities for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20): Custodians should be utilized to the maximum extent possible, including overtime, in order to ensure all necessary cleaning is completed. Due to custodians needing to complete regular custodial team cleaning (CTC) routes and the cleaning requirements as stated in MMO-031-20, Influenza and Coronavirus Cleaning Contingency, each day a […]

MOU (Temporary Exception Period – Clerk Craft Staffing Function 1 & Function 4—COVID19)

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 […]

Families First Coronavirus Recovery Act

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 […]

New Retail Directive to District Managers and Postmasters

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 […]

Statement from President Dimondstein: Postal Workers in a Time of Crisis

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 […]

APWU Pushes for Postal Workers During Pandemic

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 […]

USPS Area Vice Presidents Letter on Liberal Changes of Schedule and Leave

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 […]

Mandatory Stand-Up Talk March 23, 2020

Operations continue Health and well-being remains a priority

Information for APWU Members on COVID-19

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 […]

Pandemic: APWU Signs Leave Adjustments with USPS

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 […]

STAND UP TALKS & CDC RESOURCES

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 […]

APWU Meets with USPS on the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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 […]