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"...As we get deeper and deeper into this Coronavirus epidemic postal employees are being forced to work and do overtime upwards of 12 hours a day. As of this present time there have been Upwards of more than 40 confirmed cases of coronavirus with-in the United States Postal Service..."
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"...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..."
"...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..."
"... 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)..."
"...“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..."