"...“It has become clear that the Postal Service will not survive the summer without immediate help,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney...Based on a number of briefings and warnings this week about a critical fall-off in mail across the country..."
"...Coronavirus RNA survived for up to 17 days aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, living far longer on surfaces than previous research has shown, according to new data published Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...RNA, the genetic material of the virus that causes COVID-19, “was identified on a variety of surfaces in cabin..."
"...Many employees within the facility say they are concerned for their health and safety and are not looking forward to returning. "People have families to go home to," says USPS maintenance mechanic..."
"...Recently, the Postal Service informed APWU of a potential breach in testing materials related to Maintenance Selection System Exam 955, stating the following: As a precautionary measure, a temporary hold on Exam 955 test scheduling has been issued until a full investigation has been completed. Individuals currently in process to complete testing will be rescheduled for a later date..."
"...CDC has reported there is very low risk that the coronavirus can be spread from products or packaging shipped from China, due to poor survivability of this type of virus on surfaces. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets, CDC reports. Also, according to CDC, there is no evidence to support transmission of the novel coronavirus associated with imported goods, and there have been no reported cases of the virus in the United States associated with imported goods. The Postal Service is providing this information to employees..."
"...studies show that its cousin viruses, SARS and MERS, only live for few hours on the surface of an object. They are spread most often by respiratory droplets from one person to another. It typically takes at least three days for a package to get from China to California, according to UPS and FedEx. So the virus wouldn’t be able to survive long enough to get you sick..."
"...Freight-forwarder DSV Panalpina (DSV.CO) said on Friday it would start direct cargo flights between Shanghai and Huntsville, Alabama from next week to cope with capacity constraints caused by the coronavirus outbreak in China...Starting on Feb. 25, DSV plans to operate flights between Shanghai and Huntsville thrice weekly using the firm’s Boeing 747-8 freighter plane, it said in a statement. “Due to the risk of spreading of the coronavirus (COVID-19), multiple airlines have either suspended..."
"...The viruses can sometimes survive on indoor surfaces for more than 7 days...Flu viruses capable of being transferred to hands and causing an infection can survive on hard surfaces for 24 hours. Infectious flu viruses can survive on tissues for only 15 minutes..."
"...Pay increase lags behind inflation, Increase FERS contributions, High-5 average, Eliminate annuity supplement, Slash COLAs, Reduce the TSP’s G Fund interest rate, Higher premiums for workers, Budget cut, Training cuts, Union monitoring, ..."
"...Also, the President proposed budget hits against the postal and federal community. In part, the budget proposes to: increase employee retirement contributions to FERS approximately six-fold; eliminate the COLA for FERS retirees and to reduce the CSRS COLA by 0.5%; change the calculation of federal annuities from the High-3 to the High-5; reduce the earned interest in the Thrift Savings Plan G-Fund; and eliminate the Special Retirement Supplement for FERS annuitants who retire prior to reaching Social Security eligibility. The projected 10-years savings from these proposals total $179.5 billion. NAPS is urging Congress to reject White House proposals that undermine the Postal Service or target the pay and benefits of its employees..."
"...FERS employees would see an increase of contributions by 1% every year until it is equal to the contributions of the federal government; an elimination of the FERS supplement for those who retire before the age of 62; and elimination of cost of living adjustments (COLAs). CSRS retirees would face a reduction of COLAs..."
"...The budget also proposes slashing social safety net programs, eliminating or reducing CSRS and FERS cost of living increases, increasing employee retirement contributions, and changing the way retirement is calculated. “This budget is a blueprint of the administrations priorities and it is clear they do not value the dedicated postal and federal workforce, seniors, or those in need of assistance” said Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard. “As Congress develops their own budget, we will remain vigilant and work with our bipartisan allies to fight back against the attacks laid out in the White House budget..."
"...Drivers working for Amazon delivery partners typically earn less than their counterparts working at larger delivery companies like UPS, which helps Amazon lower costs. One driver working for Bear Down Logistics in Michigan said he earned about $15 an hour delivering Amazon packages, while UPS paid seasonal drivers doing the same work in that area about $20 an hour..."
"... procedures have been adopted by the National Executive Board of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, pursuant to Article V, Section 9 of the NPMHU National Constitution, to govern the referendum vote that will be held to ratify the terms of the tentative 2019 National Agreement between the Union and the U.S. Postal Service..."
"...To amend title 39, United States Code, to establish rules and procedures for the United States Postal Service regarding the use of centralized delivery of the mail with respect to residential housing units, and for other purposes...Retroactive change to mode of delivery prohibited.—For any housing development with respect to which the primary mode of mail delivery is any such mode except for centralized delivery on the date of the enactment of this section, the Postal Service may not change such mode of delivery to centralized delivery..."
"...seeking an exemption to a U.S. Postal Service directive that would require cluster mailboxes at any new housing subdivisions...maintenance costs of centrally-located cluster mailboxes would necessitate homeowners associations at any new subdivisions to collect funds for that upkeep..."
"...USPS would also be able to remove the payments toward health benefits for future retirees that it defaulted on from its balance sheet by reamortizing those liabilities over a 40-year period. The House last week voted to eliminate that prefunding requirement entirely. Absent from the budget blueprint was a plan to sell off the Postal Service to the private sector..."
"...“We’re pleased that a number of presidential candidates have positions and have taken actions supportive of postal workers and expanding union rights. But when we judge candidates by their long-term and consistent actions, Bernie Sanders stands out as a true champion of postal workers and all workers throughout the country,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “Bernie Sanders has proven he is a fierce advocate on the side of postal workers. He has opposed the closures of postal facilities and reduced service standards..."
"...Evans is dead after killing himself in Birmingham Friday. His suicide came after the murder of his ex-girlfriend, threats to V.A. facilities in Huntsville and Birmingham and a statewide manhunt..."