USPS Statement on COVID-19 Vaccines

(USPS releases this statement: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/statements/091621-usps-statement-on-covid19-vaccinations.htm)

Sept. 16, 2021

The health and safety of the Postal Service’s 650,000 employees who work every day to ensure that vital mail and packages are timely delivered to the American people, remains our highest priority. We will continue to take measures to protect the health and safety of our Postal workers that, given the critical role of vaccinations, includes encouraging all to get vaccinated.

We appreciate the urgency with which the administration is moving to implement new measures to stem the further spread of COVID-19 and its Delta variant.  Because the Postal Service is an independent federal agency that operates under a private sector collective bargaining model, modifications to working conditions are mandatory subjects of bargaining. In addition, our workplaces are subject to regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Therefore, we are working closely with our union leadership so that once OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) is issued we can move quickly to determine its applicability to our employees and how best to implement.

Additional information on the steps we have taken to keep our employees and customers safe is available here.

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

 

Latest COVID-19 Releases As Of: March 29, 2020

Keeping you informed of all the latest information released by both APWU National and USPS Headquarters.

Temporary Expanded Use of Voyager Card (LDC)_3.29.2020
COVID-19 SUT 16_EAP available__3.29.2020
COVID-19 SUT 17_Interacting with HCR_3.29.2020
COVID-19 SUT 18_Staying vigilant_3.29.2020
COVID-19 SUT 20_Health and well-being remain priority_3.29.2020
COVID-19 SUT 21_PO Box payment grace period_3.29.2020
Retail Standup Talk Temporarily Suspending RCE Shops__3.29.2020
DSI Guidance_3.29.2020
SUT Social Media_3.29.2020
MDC Bargaining Unit Telework_3.29.2020
Customer Retention Sites Telework_3.29.2020
Temporary Exception_Postmaster Performing Bargaining Unit Work_3.29.2020
HRSSC – signed__3.29.2020
IT-AS Expanded sick leave – signed__3.29.2020
USPS Passport Scheduler Change Implemented_3.29.2020
Retail Directive to District Managers and Postmasters_3.29.2020
AVP Letter – Retail Social Distancing_3.29.2020
Essential Service Provider Letter_3.29.2020
FMLA COVID entitlements_3.29.2020

 

STAY INFORMED! STAY SAFE!