APWU Statement on the Killing of George Floyd and the Continuing Struggle for Justice

June 1, 2020

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·      The three General Officers of the APWU, President Mark Dimondstein, Executive-Vice President Debby Szeredy, and Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Powell issued the following statement:

·       

Fair minded people from all walks of life and political viewpoints are deeply disturbed and rightfully outraged by the killing of unarmed and handcuffed African-American George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers.

George Floyd was pinned face down on the ground with a knee on his neck for over eight minutes. Treated less than human, it made no difference that Mr. Floyd repeatedly pleaded for his life, “Please, I can’t breathe.”

Reflecting a long history of oppression worsened with the recent rise of white supremacy emboldened from the highest office of the land, this incident followed recent killings of innocent African American people, while jogging (Ahmaud Arbery) or in their own home (Breonna Taylor). Mostly peaceful but understandably angry protests have erupted throughout the country.  

Unions stand for good, living-wage jobs and solidarity of all working people, respect for each other and unyielding commitment to justice, fairness and equality in the workplace and in our neighborhoods in which we live. Postal workers live and work in every community across the nation, including the Minneapolis area. The people of the country are standing with us in defense of the public Postal Service and our good union jobs, and we must also stand with our communities’ demands for justice. Martin Luther King Jr. put it so well: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

The APWU national convention is the highest authority of our union. At the 2016 convention, 2000 delegates from around the country, and all races, unanimously supported a “Black Lives Matter” resolution. It stated, “… the APWU will encourage its members to participate in any rallies, petition drives or other actions pursued by the campaign against racial discrimination and for transparency in policing.”

In line with this convention action and with human decency and compassion, with unity and solidarity of all people and the continuing struggle for freedom and civil rights, we encourage our members and locals to speak out, protest and demand justice for George Floyd’s family and community as part of the broader struggle of “liberty and justice for all.”

Let’s fight for a new day. Whether a person is jogging, doing their jobs, birdwatching, driving, being arrested, attending union meetings, or going to and from work, all human beings, regardless of our race and the color of our skin, have the right to be treated with respect and dignity and to life itself.

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

Immediate Action Required!

NEW APPROVED Retail Safe Guards & Actions to be taken in every office:   

Social Distancing

·         Please ensure EVERY PO has lines and sign in place today.  Tape on floor 6’ increments, Lobbies, Q-lines, Counters, Front Doors & even outside on ground (for lobbies that get more than 10 people) where necessary

·         Please ensure we have taken every proactive steps within the operations to ensure social distancing: Cases, Start Times, Breaks, Loading of Dock, Back Office, PO Box, PM Office, Parcel Distribution

·         Coughing/ Sneezing guards at retail window is authorized where appropriate, standard work to follow.  Items to consider:

o   Safe and secure installation

o   Plexi glass first option (remember , cough guard , not an air flow shield , maybe 2.5x3 or 3x3)

o   Clear vinyl (shower curtain) as temp option until plexi glass

o   Clear vinyl (shower curtain) as long term where plexi glass can’t be installed

Please take all urgent precautions to keep our employees safe while continuing to service our customers. 

Frank Calabrese

District Manager / Executive-In-Charge

Long Island District

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.