1 March 2022
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The New Union Contract is Ratified!

94% of Voters Say YES!

The main Collective Bargaining Agreement (union contract) between the APWU and the USPS has been overwhelmingly ratified by the members. The contract was signed by APWU President Mark Dimondstein and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on February 28, 2022.

Ninety-Four percent (94%) of the members who voted, voted “Yes!” in favor of ratification. The vote tally was 36,632 votes for ratification and 2,290 against.

“I am ecstatic that the membership recognized the solid gains that this Agreement provides to the 165,000 APWU members from all crafts,” President and lead negotiator Mark Dimondstein stated. “Every member should be very proud of this huge accomplishment. Our power at the bargaining table begins with each of you, the foundation of our union.”

Director of Industrial Relations and chief spokesperson, Vance Zimmerman said, “I am proud of this Agreement and am happy that the membership recognized the hard work of the National Negotiating Committee, the other officers who helped with the negotiations, and the diligent work of our support staff to make this contract a reality.” He continued, “Now the work of implementation begins in earnest.”

For the full article, please click here.

10 February 2022
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February 9, 2022 Clerk Craft Vacancy Notice

The February 9, 2022 Clerk Craft Vacancy Notice has been posted on the Bid Postings page of this website.

Click Here to be taken to the page & notice.

8 February 2022
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Comments: Comments Off on PTF and PSE canvass in eReassign

PTF and PSE canvass in eReassign

To all APWU family,

Please see the below, it is a screen print of the message display in eReassign for the PTF/PSE canvass process.  This went  live on the message board in eReassign yesterday.  Management has informed me that Zoom meetings with the Districts on this process were  completed yesterday.

Canvass Bullentin Board Stand Up Talk

7 February 2022
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Questions About COVID Home Tests? A Pharmacy Expert Has Answers

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We’ve added Health News to our website to give you the latest news on health issues. We’ll be sending you one article weekly, and you can find more on our website by clicking here. Be in the know about health, and have a healthy week.

Questions About COVID Home Tests?  A Pharmacy Expert Has Answers

 

THURSDAY, Feb. 3, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Those hard-to-find COVID-19 home tests are becoming more available, particularly with the U.S. government offering four free tests for every household.
So far, roughly 60 million American households have ordered the free tests, according to the White House. But many folks still have a lot of basic questions about them, said Krist Azizian, chief pharmacy officer for Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California.
These rapid at-home tests are called antigen tests, he said.
COVID_19 test
“Antigen tests detect a high volume of viral load, and the results are generally available within 15 minutes,” Azizian said in a university news release.
However, you shouldn’t test yourself immediately after you think you’ve been exposed to COVID, Azizian said.
“COVID-19 has an incubation period of five to seven days, so you should get tested at least five days after exposure or upon the onset of symptoms,” he said.
“The biggest testing mistake I see is people taking tests too soon before the viral load can be detected,” Azizian continued. “Testing too soon can waste at-home tests, cause people to needlessly spend money on lab tests and give them a false sense of assurance should they test negative.”
If you’re self-testing, a positive result from an antigen test means you’ve probably got COVID, while a negative result means you either don’t have COVID or you don’t have enough virus in your nose for the test to detect.
Your doctor’s office also can perform an antigen test on you, but they are “not necessarily” more accurate than a test you’d perform on yourself at home, Azizian said.
“Antigen tests conducted at a clinic or lab are very likely comparable to tests purchased over the counter,” Azizian said. “The only reason lab testing may be more accurate is because some people may use the at-home tests incorrectly or may misinterpret the results.”
Doctors can offer another type of COVID test called the PCR test. This is the “gold standard” for accuracy but does not return rapid results and is not available for home use.
PCR tests look for the specific genetic material of COVID, so they can detect lower levels of virus than an antigen test and are less likely to produce inaccurate results, Azizian said. A lab must run the test, and it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to get the results.
How can you get your free at-home tests?
You can order your four free rapid antigen tests from COVIDtests.gov, Azizian said.
“If your household requires more than four tests, you may be eligible to be fully reimbursed for tests you purchase or get them free of charge through an insurance reimbursement program launched Jan. 15,” Azizian said. “You can contact your health insurance provider for further information.”
When buying a test yourself, look for one that’s authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Azizian said.
Families running short on tests should know they can’t be reused, he added.
“These tests are for single application only,” Azizian said. “People are taking a tremendous risk of exposing others by using one swab for multiple family members. If one has COVID-19 and the others don’t, sharing a swab almost guarantees everyone will get it.”
Which test is right for you?
Rapid antigen tests are a good option for people who have developed symptoms of COVID, Azizian said.
“In general, viral load correlates to symptoms. If you are asymptomatic, your viral load may be too low to be detected by an antigen test,” Azizian said.
If you don’t have symptoms but you’re worried you have COVID, you should talk with your doctor about getting a PCR test. PCR tests also can be used as a follow-up to an antigen test, to make sure you really do have COVID, Azizian added.
“If you test negative on an antigen test, for greater reassurance, follow up with another antigen test at least 24 hours later or a PCR test,” Azizian said.
“While antigen tests are fairly accurate in detecting positive results, if you test positive on an antigen test, it’s best to follow up with a PCR test,” he advised. “However, you should quarantine upon receiving a positive result from any test.”

More information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a list of approved at-home COVID tests.
SOURCE: Keck Medicine of University of Southern California, news release, Jan. 31, 2022
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27 January 2022
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Comments: Comments Off on January 27, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

January 27, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

Clerk Craft Award Notice for January 27, 2021 have been posted on the Bid Results page of this website.

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19 January 2022
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January 19, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

Clerk Craft Award Notice for January 19, 2021 have been posted on the Bid Results page of this website.

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18 January 2022
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January 18, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

Clerk Craft Award Notice for January 18, 2021 have been posted on the Bid Results page of this website.

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18 January 2022
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Local News
Comments: Comments Off on Free COVID Test Kits

Free COVID Test Kits

Click here to get Free COVID Test Kits.

9 January 2022
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OWCP Case for COVID

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Following national trends, there has been a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases at the Postal Service. 
As a result of federal law and our strong union contract, it is your right to apply for worker’s compensation benefits to protect yourself and your family in the event you contract COVID-19.
If you are a postal employee, no matter if you are a career employee or non-career employee, you are entitled to file a claim with the Office of Workers Compensation Programs.
In order for your claim to be successful, you must have worked at the Post Office at some point during the 21-days prior to your COVID-19 diagnosis, and are required to complete an approved form of COVID-19 testing to prove you are sick.
Employees that have claims approved are entitled to have their medical costs and lost wages paid. Approved Claimants are also entitled to request that any annual sick or annual leave used be “bought back” and redeposited to their leave balances. Also, should a postal employee pass away due to COVID- 19, their survivors are entitled to benefits under the compensation programs if there is an approved claim.

Remember, we never know how COVID-19 will affect any one person. While some experience only mild symptoms and recover quickly, others develop long term illness which requires ongoing and expensive treatments.


Thank you for all that you do.
In solidarity, 
The American Postal Workers Union
7 January 2022
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Comments: Comments Off on January 7, 2022 Clerk Craft Vacancy Notice

January 7, 2022 Clerk Craft Vacancy Notice

The January 7, 2022 Clerk Craft Vacancy Notice has been posted on the Bid Postings page of this website.

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