6 December 2022
Category:
General Information
Comments: Comments Off on Postal Service Updating COVID-19 items

Postal Service Updating COVID-19 items

Union Family,
We all know that COVID is not over. We also know that the CDC has drastically changed their guidelines—not necessarily for the better. Based on the CDC guidance that businesses no longer need to do close contact tracing, the Postal Service has decided to change their decision tree and turn over the close contact tracing to public health officials. I do not agree that this is in the best interest of Postal Employees.
In my opinion the changing of the Decision Tree was to avoid any payment of administrative leave by turning over an isolation or quarantine decisions to public health officials. This way the Postal Service can now make the claim it was not them who put anyone off work. The CDC has greatly reduced when isolation/quarantine is even necessary based symptoms, vaccination status, and the expectation that exposed people will wear well-fitting masks. However, it is the opinion of the APWU that if an employee is exposed to COVID-19 at work and told to isolate by a public health official, administrative leave should be granted. If any such employee, then tests positive for COVID-19 they need and should file an OWCP claim.
Additionally, the Postal Service has put us on notice that they plan on reviewing all social distancing protocols (i.e., PASS machine layout, etc.) and possibly discontinue them. Again, the APWU disagrees with discontinuing any protocol that could lead to the spread of any contagion. The Postal Service has said we will be provided proposed changes in advance and have an opportunity to review them and give input on the changes. I put little faith in the Postal Service doing this in a manner that actually takes the safety and health of Postal Workers into consideration. At the time this email was written, no proposed changes had been provided to the APWU.
Remember, any postal employee who contracts COVID-19 may apply for OWCP benefits and be paid Continuation of Pay. The employee will need to provide positive PCR test results or evidence of COVID-19 positivity another way that is supported by medical documentation from their doctor. If they have worked at the Postal Service within 21-days of contracting COVID-19, the OWCP claim will more than likely be approved.
 
These eased processes for applying for COVID-19 OWCP benefits remain in effect through January 27, 2023. However, the APWU Legislative Department in conjunction with the other Postal Unions, is actively working the halls of Congress to have these benefits extended.
COVID is not over. The APWU still encourages all employees to do the simple things that help prevent the spread of COVID or other illnesses:
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Wear masks at work, when in public, and at union events
  • STAY HOME WHEN SICK
  • Get vaccinated when able and when recommend by your medical practitioner.
The updated Decision Tree is attached and we will update you if any other COVID protocols are altered.
You may share with the field.
Thank you and remember—stay safe, wear your mask!

 

3 December 2022
Category:
General Information
Local News
Comments: Comments Off on December 2, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

December 2, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

Clerk Craft Award Notice for December 2, 2022 have been posted on the Bid Results page of this website.

Please note that the listed bid assignments will become effective Saturday, December 17, 2022.

Click Here to be taken to the page & notice.

30 November 2022
Category:
General Information
Local News
Comments: Comments Off on November 30, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

November 30, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

Clerk Craft Award Notice for November 30, 2022 have been posted on the Bid Results page of this website.

Please note that the listed bid assignments will become effective Saturday, January 14, 2023.

Click Here to be taken to the page & notice.

22 November 2022
Category:
General Information
Local News
Comments: Comments Off on Vacancy Notice – Best Qualified Assignment – Data Collection Tech – Revised

Vacancy Notice – Best Qualified Assignment – Data Collection Tech – Revised

DATA COLLECTION TECHNICIAN – LEVEL 7
Domiciled at Oakland P&DC, 1675 7th St.

The position is open to Clerk Craft in Oakland Bid Center

Opening Date: November 18, 2022
Closing Date: November 29, 2022

Selection Criteria – Best Qualified

Specific details

For the full description & application, please go to the Best Qualified Positions page.

10 November 2022
Category:
General Information
Local News
Comments: Comments Off on November 9, 2022 Clerk Craft Vacancy Notice

November 9, 2022 Clerk Craft Vacancy Notice

The November 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.

9 November 2022
Category:
General Information
Comments: Comments Off on Peak Season Exception Period MOU and PSE District Cap MOU Ramp Up Period- 2022

Peak Season Exception Period MOU and PSE District Cap MOU Ramp Up Period- 2022

The parties have resolved the matter in accordance with the attached Memorandum of Understanding.
The parties agreed to a grievance extension on the PSE ramp-up period until November 21, if necessary, at the local level.
please disseminate the field
in union solidarity, the struggle continues.

 

Lamont Brooks
Director
Clerk Division

 

9 November 2022
Category:
General Information
Comments: Comments Off on Postal Service Updating COVID-19 items

Postal Service Updating COVID-19 items

Union Family,
The Postal Service has significantly changed their COVID-19 policies. Let me be clear that the APWU is not in agreement with all these changes. Unfortunately, the CDC significantly weakened their guidance on COVID-19 which the USPS is citing as reason for these changes. So here are things to note:
  1. The Postal Service is no longer asking people to quarantine—rather if an employee is exposed the Postal Service is telling them to wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5 after exposure.
  2. However, the Postal Service still recommends isolation (don’t go to work) when you are sick and suspect you have COVID-19 and to follow the CDC isolation guidelines if you have not been tested. (See slide 2 of brief presentation)
  3. If you do test positive, employees stay home for at least 5 days and once you leave home wear a mask through day 10. (see slide 2 of brief presentation).
  4. The “Decision Tree” no longer grants administrative leave under any circumstances. The Postal Service says employees are to use Annual, Sick, or LWOP for their absences.
  5. Close contact tracing is no longer done by the Postal Nurses but returned to local health departments to conduct. I believe they did this so that it is an outside agency or medical provider who is telling the employee to stay off work instead of the Postal Service.
  6. Remember, employees who are contract COVID-19 can still qualify for OWCP and Continuation of Pay (COP). The eligibility to apply under the loosened standards lasts currently through January 27, 2023. However, the APWU Legislative Department is working hard to have Congress extend this date.  You can learn more here: How to File an OWCP Claim When Diagnosed with COVID-19 | American Postal Workers Union (apwu.org) or contact the Human Relations Department with your OWCP questions.
I know the Postal Service will probably still attempt to discipline folks for missing work for COVID-19. Grievances will need to be filed, but I suggest placing the power point presentation in all grievances where it shows the Postal Service wants employees to stay home.
We believe all this to be short-sighted by the Postal Service as we are seeing both upticks in COVID cases and an early arrival of an intense Flu season. As we have always said and will continue to say, the APWU recommends that all employees continue to practice things that help slow the spread:  Social Distance, wash your hands, wear a mask, and if medically able, get your COVID-19 vaccines and Flu vaccines as well. COVID is not over and the APWU is still losing members to this horrible disease.
You may share with the field.
Thank you and remember—stay safe, wear your mask!
Charlie Cash
Industrial Relations Director
American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
202-842-4273 Office;

 

 

 

8 November 2022
Category:
General Information
Comments: Comments Off on President Dimondstein Signs Annual Leave Exchange and Annual Leave Carryover MOUs

President Dimondstein Signs Annual Leave Exchange and Annual Leave Carryover MOUs

President Dimondstein signed off on the two additional MOUs: one that allows for the increased annual leave carry over from leave year 2022 to leave year 2023 and one that allows for additional annual leave exchange prior to leave year 2023.

To view original article & MOUs click here.

31 October 2022
Category:
General Information
Local News
Comments: Comments Off on October 31, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

October 31, 2022 Clerk Craft Award Notice

Clerk Craft Award Notice for October 31, 2022 have been posted on the Bid Results page of this website.

Please note that the listed bid assignments will become effective Saturday, November 5, 2022.

Click Here to be taken to the page & notice.

26 October 2022
Category:
General Information
Comments: Comments Off on USPS Has Created Resources to Be Sent to Employees for 2022 Open Season

USPS Has Created Resources to Be Sent to Employees for 2022 Open Season

To all APWU family,

Please find attached the notification received from the Postal Service providing the dates and information for this year’s 2022 Open Season for Health Benefits. Open Season is from 11/14/22 through 12/12/22. Open Season is a critical time for employees to review their current health benefits and ensure that the benefits they have selected best fit their needs and the needs of their family. Unless an employee has a Qualifying Life Event (OLE) during the remainder of the year, this is their once-a-year opportunity to make any changes to many of their benefits. Please read all of the attached carefully.

The Open Season Benefits Fair will be conducted virtually.

The fair will be held virtually on the following dates:
November 14th 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST
November 22nd 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
November 30th 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. EST
December 6th 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. EST
There will be live and on-demand presentations, live chats, and Q&A sessions with experts.
Visit https://2022uspsopenseasonbenefits.vfairs.com to register. Participation is voluntary.
Non-exempt employees may only participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.

Click here to read the full PDF document

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