APWU: USPS announces end of COVID-19 protocols

May 17, 2023 Effective May 12, 2023, the Postal Service has discontinued all Covid-19 specific protocols, including all memoranda of understanding, policies, and work practice restrictions and requirements. However, we must all understand that COVID-19 and other communicable diseases still pose a threat. Many members in their line of work are susceptible to these illnesses,…

 Continue reading

Congresswoman Pressley and Colleagues Urge Extension of COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Postal Workers

Provision enabling clear access to workers’ compensation due to COVID set to expire on January 27, 2023 December 16, 2022 BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), in partnership with Representatives Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08), led their colleagues in calling for the extension of an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provision…

 Continue reading

APWU: USPS has 14 million KN95 masks on hand

From: Vance Zimmerman <vzimmerman@apwu.org> Date: 2/9/22 Subject: KN-95 Masks Last week in our meeting with management regarding COVID-19, we were informed that the Postal Service has 14 million KN95s on hand. Local management can request these KN95s for employee use. It might be a good idea to ask your local management to requests these. Please…

 Continue reading

USPS: National Handwashing Awareness Week

National Handwashing Awareness Week, held annually the first full week in December, will be observed Dec. 1-7. Handwashing is the first line of defense against the bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa that cause illness. It prevents the spread of colds, flu, gastroenteritis and viruses such as the coronavirus. Follow these five steps every time you…

 Continue reading

Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family Medical Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 24, 2020 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced its first round of published guidance to provide information to employees and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when…

 Continue reading

USPS: Restrictions for shipping sanitizers, wipes

The Postal Service wants employees to know there are specific shipping restrictions for hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes that contain alcohol. As result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the organization is seeing an increase in the number of customers attempting to ship hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes, which are widely used to help prevent transmission…

 Continue reading

Information on FECA Coverage for Coronavirus Disease – 2019/COVID-19

A federal employee who contracts the Coronavirus Disease – 2019, known as COVID-19, while in performance of their job duties would have the full coverage of the FECA for related medical treatment and for wage loss or disability related to that condition or associated complications. However, under 20 C.F.R. § 10.303, exposure to COVID-19 alone…

 Continue reading

USPS: Watch out for coronavirus scams

If you’re a Postal Service employee, watch out for scams that attempt to use the coronavirus pandemic to con you into revealing personal information. Emergency situations are prime opportunities for criminals to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. Scammers are creating websites devoted to the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. These…

 Continue reading