American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
1300 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

Mark Dimondstein,
President
202-842-4250 (Office)
202-842-4297 (Fax)

National Executive Board

To whom it may concern:

January 20, 2021

Mark Dimondstein President

Debby Szeredy Executive Vice President

Elizabeth “Liz” Powell Secretary-Treasurer

Vance Zimmerman Director, Industrial Relations

Lamont Brooks Director, Clerk Division

Idowu Balogun
Director, Maintenance Division

Michael O. Foster Director, MVS Division

Steve Brooks
Director, Support Services Division

Sharyn M. Stone Coordinator, Central Region

A.J. Jones
Coordinator, Eastern Region

Tiffany Foster
Coordinator, Northeast Region

Kennith L. Beasley Coordinator, Southern Region

Omar M. Gonzalez Coordinator, Western Region

Our union represents 200,000 of the 630,000 postal workers of the United States.

We have deep concerns regarding the lack of a national plan in the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine 
and the detrimental impact on postal workers and postal customers.

Postal Workers, along with so many other dedicated essential workers, have been on the frontlines 
during this tragic pandemic, courageously carrying out our mission of connecting the people of the 
country. Vast numbers have been sickened and quarantined, many more exposed and we have tragically 
suffered over 150 deaths.

We look forward to a safe, effective and quickly delivered vaccine.

Taking into account the essential work of postal workers and interaction with the public, the CDC 
recommended that postal workers be considered in the “1-B” status of the rollout of the vaccine.

Yet numerous states have not followed this recommendation and have chosen to place postal workers 
further down in the order of those with early access to the vaccine.

We are optimistic that your new administration will work to bring order to the COVID chaos 
including bringing a national plan to the vaccine roll-out. We strongly urge that as part of this 
plan the CDC recommendations in relation to postal workers is consistently and fully implemented 
throughout the country.  The well-being of postal workers and postal customers depend on it.

We thank you in advance for the urgent attention to this matter and if there is any way the APWU 
can assist in this effort, please do not hesitate to contact me at (336) 210-2229 or at 
mdimondstein@apwu.org.

Sincerely,

Mark Dimondstein President

American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
1300 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

Mark Dimondstein,
President
202-842-4250 (Office)
202-842-4297 (Fax)

National Executive Board
Mark Dimondstein President

Debby Szeredy

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State
NYS Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo:

January 21, 2020

Executive Vice President

Elizabeth “Liz” Powell Secretary-Treasurer

Vance Zimmerman Director, Industrial Relations

Lamont Brooks Director, Clerk Division

Idowu Balogun
Director, Maintenance Division

Michael O. Foster Director, MVS Division

Steve Brooks
Director, Support Services Division

Sharyn M. Stone Coordinator, Central Region

A.J. Jones
Coordinator, Eastern Region

Tiffany Foster
Coordinator, Northeast Region

Kennith L. Beasley Coordinator, Southern Region

Omar M. Gonzalez Coordinator, Western Region

Our union represents 200,000 of the 630,000 postal workers of the United States.
I write to you with deep concerns about reported changes to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and 
timetable in your state in relation to postal workers.

Postal Workers, along with so many other dedicated essential workers, have been on the frontlines 
during this tragic pandemic, courageously carrying out our mission of connecting the people of the 
country. Vast numbers have been sickened and quarantined, many more exposed and we have tragically 
suffered over 150 deaths.

We look forward to a safe, effective and quickly delivered vaccine.

Taking into account the essential work of postal workers and interaction with the public, the CDC 
recommended that postal workers be considered in the “1-B” status of the rollout of the vaccine.

It has come to our attention that your state has apparently chosen to place postal workers further 
down in the order of those with early access to the vaccine.

We urge you to work to ensure that the vaccine be made available to postal workers at the earliest 
possible time. The well-being of postal workers and postal customers depend on it.

Thanking you in advance for urgent attention to this matter and if there is any way the APWU can 
assist in this effort, please do not hesitate to contact me at (202) 842-4250 or at 
mdimondstein@apwu.org.

Sincerely,

Mark Dimondstein President

COVID-19 SUT 62 – ALL EMPLOYEES: Vaccine availability update – 01.20.2021

Mandatory Stand-Up Talk
Jan.  20, 2021

When will it be my turn to get vaccinated?
Like you, we are eager to learn when Postal Service employees will have access to COVID-19 
vaccines. The goal is for everyone to be able to get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.

Currently, the supply of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States is limited, but we are starting to 
hear that more vaccines should become available soon.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others are providing recommendations to 
federal, state and local governments about who should be vaccinated first. The collective 
recommendation is that Postal Service employees be considered during the Phase 1B rollout of 
COVID-19 vaccines in state and local jurisdictions.

While the Postal Service continues to strive toward a standardized priority opportunity for our 
employees who choose to get the vaccine, we urge you not to delay your own access to a COVID-19 
vaccination.

States, and in many cases, local jurisdictions, have their own plans for deciding which groups of 
people will be vaccinated first. We strongly urge you to review the information on your state 
and/or local public health websites, sign up for alerts and schedule a COVID-19 vaccination at the 
first opportunity available to you.

We will continue to provide updates as more information regarding access to COVID-19 vaccinations 
for our employees becomes available. Thank you for listening.

#  #  #

Mandatory Stand-Up Talk
Dec. 16, 2020
Face covering and mask update
The requirement for Postal Service employees to use face coverings or masks continues when social 
distancing of six (6) feet cannot be maintained in public, or in public-facing settings when 
required by state or local orders or directives.
Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the Postal Service has continued to fulfill its critical 
mission to bind the nation together. Postal Service employees are working hard across the country 
to ensure we are there for our customers every day, serving as a lifeline for millions of people.

As we are now in peak season, our mission is even more critical, and your safety and wellness are 
of the utmost importance. At the same time, we face unique challenges during peak season.

With an increase in staffing and an abundance of packages in our facilities, it is going to be 
increasingly difficult to maintain social distancing. So, we are urging you to have a face covering 
readily available when working and to wear a face covering whenever possible to ensure that you 
continue to protect yourself and your co-workers. If you do not have a face covering or if you 
require a new one, please request one from your supervisor.

The policy regarding face coverings has not been changed, rather it is being reinforced. The policy 
states that all employees are required to wear face coverings in the following situations, until 
the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer an issue.

•   In public-facing settings when there is a state or local face covering order or directive in 
place; or
 

COVID-19 SUT 59 – ALL EMPLOYEES: Face covering and mask update – 12.16.2020

•   When an employee who does not deal directly with the public cannot achieve or maintain social 
distancing in the workplace.

As indicated, you may request a face covering or surgical mask from your supervisor. You also may 
bring your own personal cloth face coverings to work for use while on duty. If you cannot wear a 
face covering for health reasons, you should immediately contact your supervisor.

You should not rely solely on the use of cloth face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 
You should also adhere to social distancing guidelines (6 feet) whenever possible while on delivery 
routes, at retail counters, and within the postal workplace: in plants, on docks and in lunch and 
break rooms.

In addition to social distancing, please follow these recommended prevention methods from the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

•   Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
•   Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
•   Stay home when you are sick.
•   Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue, then throw tissue in trash.
•   Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
•   Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
•   Use a 60-percent or higher alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
•   Get a flu shot.

The Postal Service provides an essential service to our nation. Customers are expressing their 
gratitude to us in every community we serve.

Taking steps to stay healthy and well means we can continue to provide our critical services and to 
be a stable, calming presence across the country.

Thank you for everything you are doing for our customers, and for your professionalism every day.

# # #

2

This is a mandatory Stand Up Talk that ALL offices are to get. If you do not receive a talk, not given a paper to read, but a talk, let your Union Representatives know. And please, wear your mask.

Mandatorv Stand-Up Talk
Nov. 23, 2020

Protecting evervone's safetv and wellness
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic -    even as new "hot spots" emerge around the nation and new 
cases are reported -    the Postal Service has continued to deliver for America. We are a lifeline 
for millions of people.

As new cases continue to be reported every day, to help ensure your own safety and wellness, and 
that of everyone around you, the following must be adhered to effective IMMEDIATELY:

•      ALL employees are required to wear face coverings at all times while on duty in all 
facilities. This includes all plant, local office and district office employees.  The purpose of 
this is to do all we can to keep everyone safe.
•     Masks MUST be worn properly, fully covering your nose and mouth.
•      You should adhere to social distancing guidelines (6 feet) whenever possible, including 
while on delivery routes and at retail counters.
•     Social distancing a/so applies to Plants and all Post Offices, to include, platforms, loading 
docks, break areas and lunch rooms.
•     Practice proper hygiene by washing your hands often for a minimum of 20 seconds. When soap 
and water aren't available, use a 60-percent or higher alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has additional recommendations as well:

•     Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
•     Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
•     Stay home when you are sick.
•     Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
•     Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

You can request a face covering or surgical mask from your supervisor or bring your own appropriate 
personal cloth face coverings to use while on duty. Masks with one-way valves or vents are not 
sufficient, as they allow exhaled air and respiratory droplets to reach others.

If you cannot wear a face covering for health reasons, you should immediately contact your 
supervisor to discuss reasonable accommodation.

Also, consider getting a flu shot this season. Flu vaccines don't prevent the coronavirus, but they 
help to reduce flu-related illnesses, potential hospitalizations and missed work or school.
Taking these steps will help us all stay healthy and able to keep delivering for the nation. Thank 
you for your attention and cooperation.  Please be SAFE.
fo/L-
Frank Calabrese
District Manager

cc:     All Union Presidents' -  Long Island District Manager, Human Resources
Labor Relations Safety
File

The Local is holding a General Membership Meeting this Sunday, September 27, via Zoom. This is our first meeting in sometime, so please, register to attend. This meeting is for members of our local only, and membership is being checked prior to attendance. To register, copy and paste the link below into your browser.

Hi there, 

You are invited to a Zoom meeting. 
When: Sep 27, 2020 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kdO-qrTMtHNMOIVl7QG3iJSYiNxcpL9mG 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

APWU Health Plan COVID-19 Coverage Enhancements

The Health Plan will:
•     Cover COVID-19 testing at no cost* to the member when testing is prescribed by a clinical 
professional
•     Cover telehealth visits at no cost* to the member when visits are performed through the 
Health Plan’s telehealth providers:

o  High Option: Visits through Amwell are available at www.amwell.com at no cost* to the member
o  Consumer Driven Option: Virtual visits through AmWell, Teladoc, and Doc on Demand are available 
at www.myuhc.com at no cost* to the member

•     Cover telehealth visits to network providers at no cost* to member when related to COVID-19
•     Waive inpatient prior authorization requirements related to COVID-19
•     Reminder: Members are encouraged to use mail order for maintenance medications which provides 
a 90-day refill and the delivery is free

*All deductible, coinsurance, and copays will be waived

Please note that the General Membership Meeting and Shop Steward Seminar scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2020 is canceled. We will reschedule the shop steward seminar. No one will be adversely affected by this cancelation. 

Be safe, stay healthy, take care of family. Stay posted for additional information and schedules.

The American Postal Workers Union continually fights for safe jobs. The Postal Service, as we all know, is not the safest place to work. Learn what we can do to keep ourselves safe, and what the Union is doing to help keep us safe. For more information, click here.