APWU - South Jersey Area Local 0526 | Continuing The Fight!

Washington Judge Ruling on USPS

On September 17, 2020, Chief Judge Stanley A. Bastian, from the Eastern District of Washington, granted request from 14 states to temporarily block the operational changes Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has overseen since taking over as PMG.

We should all be heartened by this decision. From the moment PMG DeJoy implemented his plans the APWU stood up and lead the push-back on these changes. It was the hard-working members of the APWU who lead the charge. The APWU members– who are dedicated to critical mission and to every customer of the Postal Service– obtained, shared, and notified the public about what was happening to the American People’s Postal Service.

It was your reports, images, public actions, letters to the editor, interviews in the press, and other activities that brought the interest of many state attorney generals around the country. Without your work, this temporary block would not have been issued.

Every member should be proud of the work they did and should be applauded. We must also thank our Lead Counsel from Murphy Anderson, PLLC, Mindy Holmes and all the attorneys working on this for the APWU for all the work they did to assist the Attorneys General on this lawsuit. Our attorneys advised our members who were contacted by the AGs and advised the AGs involved in the case.

Here is link to a story on the judge’s order from the Washington Post. It also includes a video the Post put together on the actions that DeJoy took that slowed the mail down. It showcases members of the APWU who helped educate the public on what was going on. This is just one example of what we have done in our fight against delayed mail and to save the USPS.

Today is another small victory in our fight for the People’s Post Office. It could not have been done without you. Thank-you for all you have done. Keep up the fight. Keep sending items to our delayed mail email box, keep up the pressure, and keep our fight for the Post Office in front of the public. Today is only one victory of hopefully many more to come.

USPS Generator Safety

Being informed is the key. Operating and working safely is number one! Here is a safety notification from Tom Molanick, National APWU Safety & Health Representative Eastern Region/Cap Metro Region Southwest Area Business Agent; PA Postal Workers Union.

After watching the news and seeing the number of deaths from Hurricane Laura that were caused by carbon monoxide related to generator use here is some of info that you should share with the field.

Having been a member of the CAP METRO JLMSHC I recalled an incident in the Virginia Beach area where the generator was placed outside but too close to the dock doors and the fumes were drawn into the building causing illness. Fortunately, no one suffered serious injury or death. This was after a major storm,

With the Postal Service hiring BME and AMT’s off the street and accepting transfers from other crafts and that they might have not received any specific training at Norman or on the job it might to time to review that the SOP when a portable generator is sent to a small office. There should be a guideline package sent along with the generators since these generators will be dropped off, setup, and Maintenance leaves and it is up to the small office clerks to handle it. Problems can be when they would bring the generator inside at end of shift or pull the cord in. The next day the placement of the generator might not be the same where Maint. set it up.

One concern would be the Maintenance Manager handing out work orders for the day or an emergency on Tour 3 or Tour One dispatching BMEs or MPEs to the office who might not have any training outside of the Mail Processing equipment at a plant before the more knowledgeable AMTs report on daylight.

Also, if the clerks are required to refuel the generator they should be aware of the precautions needed when the engine is hot and the storage of gasoline onsite where the office probably does not have a Flammable Storage Cabinet.

Check out this link: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2020/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-in-Path-of-Storms-to-Take-Precautions-When-Using-Portable-Generators

Day of Action: Congressman Donald Norcross Shows Postal Service Support

Today, Tuesday, August 18, 2020, Congressman Donald Norcross held a press conference with local television and press to inform the public what is happening with the postal service. While many people have been wondering what has been going on with delays in mail and service times not being met, it has been revealed today. Also giving details and facts was Vince Tarducci and Robert Romanowski (Clerk Craft National Business Agents). With the new changes being forced down from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, these delays in the mail delivery and service have increased and caused concerns that affect all who depend on the U.S. Postal Service to deliver (i.e. mail, payments/bills, medications, checks, deliveries, etc.).

This is not just happening here in South Jersey, but all across America.

Clerk Craft National Business Agent Vince Tarducci

Processing and Distribution Centers are having resources (mail processing machines) taken away. Certain local post offices are having hours of operations decreased. The constant attack on jobs being fought by the Union brought on by the constant threat of privatization.

Clerk Craft National Business Agent Robert Romanowski

These are just some of the things happening on a daily basis. This stand-up support by Congressman Norcross is much needed. The public needs to know, their support is needed as well. The postal workers are the people that have shown dedication by going to work no matter the condition: rain, shine, sleet, snow, up to and after natural disasters and now even the COVID-19 pandemic. Stand with the Postal Workers!!