Postal Service (Alabama): Public faces 'low' risk after Montgomery worker tests positive for coronavirus

Mail Truck

"...a USPS Spokesperson, said the employee works at the Processing and Distribution Center in Montgomery. The employee would not have had any contact with the public..."    

This Article is From: www.montgomeryadvertiser.com
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Postal Workers Increasingly Concerned the Agency Isn't Protecting Them From Coronavirus

"...U.S. Postal Service is facing increased pressure from its 630,000 employees, who are sounding the alarm that they are unprotected and vulnerable as they continue to sort and deliver mail throughout the coronavirus pandemic...added sick leave for anyone who may have contracted the virus, hazard pay for those still at work and suspended service for facilities with vulnerable populations..."    

This Article is From: www.govexec.com
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Three-dozen U.S. Postal Service employees test positive for the novel coronavirus

With Dozens of Confirmed Coronavirus Cases, USPS Launches New Measures to Protect Employees

"...To date, 40 postal workers have contracted the virus. Many more are home on mandatory quarantine as they may have come in contact with infected individuals...[USPS] stressed there is no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail..."    

This Article is From: www.govexec.com
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USPS Issues Statement on the MOU on Liberal Changes of Schedule and Leave

"... allowing Sick Leave for Dependent Care, for the next 60-day period, managers and supervisors should allow liberal changes of schedule in recognition of the disruption caused by the COVIDF-19 pandemic.
To the extent operationally practicable, managers and supervisors should accommodate employees who submit PS Form 3189, Request for Temporary Change of Schedule for Personal Convenience as a result of child care issues caused by daycare closures, school (Pre-K through Grade 12) closures or the unavailability of a child’s primary caregiver as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
Manager and Supervisors should also allow liberal sick leave usage for employees who are sick, and liberal annual and leave without pay (LWOP) usage to the extent operationally feasible during this time period. If an employee request leave for reasons related to COVID-19, such leave should be treated as scheduled (as opposed to unscheduled) leave. Leave taken for COVID-19 related reasons between February 29, 2020, and May 17, 2020 may not be cited in discipline for failing to maintain an assigned schedule under ELM 511.43.
Memorandum: re USPS issues statement on the MOU on Liberal Changes of Schedule and Leave (pdf)..."    

This Article is From: www.npmhu.org

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House panel warns coronavirus could destroy Postal Service by June

"...“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..."    

This Article is From: www.politico.com
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Update: How long can coronavirus RNA live on surfaces?

CDC says coronavirus RNA found in Princess Cruise ship cabins up to 17 days after passengers left

"...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..."    

This Article is From: www.cnbc.com
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2 White Plains USPS employees test positive for coronavirus

"...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..."    

This Article is From: westchester.news12.com
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APWU has a new contract

"Retroactive Back Pay and COLA Awarded"    

This Article is From: apwu.org
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USPS Announces Potential Breach in Maintenance Exam 955 Materials

"...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..."    

This Article is From: apwu.org
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Coronavirus update: Postal Service shares CDC guidance

"...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..."    

This Article is From: usps.com
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Can I get coronavirus from a package delivered from China?

"...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..."    

This Article is From: www.mercurynews.com
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DSV plans Shanghai-Huntsville, Alabama cargo flights to ease capacity constraints amid coronavirus

"...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..."    

This Article is From: www.reuters.com

More Reading: How Long Can a Virus Live on a Surface?
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How long can a virus live on a surface?

How long do bacteria and viruses live outside the body?

"...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..."    

This Article is From: www.nhs.uk
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White House releases FY 2021 budget proposal

"...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, ..."    

This Article is From: www.nalc.org
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NAPS: FY 2021 White House Budget Targets Postal Service and Its Employees

"...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..."    

This Article is From: naps.org
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Postal Employees Again Targeted in White House Budget

"...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..."    

This Article is From: www.npmhu.org
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APWU Responds to White House Budget

"...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..."    

This Article is From: apwu.org
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Amazon axes delivery partners around US; hundreds of jobs lost

"...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..."    

This Article is From: www.msn.com
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Will Mail Handler Union Members Ratify Low-Wage Increase Tentative Contract?

Ratification Ballots for Mail Handler Contract Will Mail on Feb, 18, 2020

"... 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..."    

This Article is From: www.npmhu.org
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Easy Access to Mail Act

"...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..."    

This Article is From: www.congress.gov
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