APWU Iowa

PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO EXPRESS THE DIRE NEED FOR USPS TO BE INCLUDED IN A CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS PLAN! If the USPS does not receive funding, they’re projected to be broke by September. Save your job! Make the call!

Grassley – (202)224-3744Ernst – (202)224-3254

Hawkeye District OHNA fax – (515)251-2080
To call on Governor Reynolds to issue shelter-in-place, call (515)281-5211 Option 1
Another positive Coronavirus case - South Des Moines clerk, several employees are quarantined, five tour 3 custodians cleaned and disinfected SDM today, lobby is shut down for 2 weeks
Custodians were provided white suites (extra layer), N95 masks and gloves. They cleaned with sanitizing wipes, sprayed down the area with alcohol and then sprayed with Lysol disinfectant
Safety Service Talk at 7:30 tomorrow at SDM
Masks are now mandatory at South Des Moines Station
Discussion on forming teams of volunteers trained to disinfect in the event there are not enough custodians due to Coronavirus related leave or a sudden outbreak.
Discussed need for guidelines for maintenance on proper use of PPE
Suggestion to look into paint sprayers to disinfect large areas with mist of bleach/water
Management becoming more protective of supplies which are being counted and reported twice a day.
Is management actively doing backward tracking to identify those who the infected employees have been in contact with? Discussed the need to notify the public.
OTDL being called to work at SDM should be aware of positive cases, so they can make an educated choice and protect themselves accordingly
Unions to District Manager: we need to be notified on positive cases and invited to the Safety Service talks
Carriers assigned to throw parcels causing crowding at the PASS machines, inhibiting social distancing practices
Discussed mandatory mask policy, District Manager is hesitant. Plans to provide masks to every District employee
Discussed disinfecting all lobbies hourly with checklist to sign off
Discussion on ramping up cleaning and the concern there are not enough custodians
Please disinfect your equipment and work areas prior to beginning your work day and throughout the day
Confusion in some small offices over Custodian Letter. Confirmation from Labor that their not planning on contracting the work. Clerks will still do the work in offices with 2 hours or less of cleaning
Several Postmasters are certifying service talks prior to sending them to their employees. If this happens, let Kim Karol know if you’re a State MAL office or Julie Bates if you’re covered under the DMI-APWU local 44.
If your office is in need of PPE supplies, please notify the same people listed above.
Covid-19 is affecting various ethnic groups in different ways. Discussed increase in suicides and the awareness needed to listen and identify those in need of help
Many feel they’re losing control. Being active by agitating to make changes in response to Covid-19 is a good way to take back control
KCCI indicates symptoms of Covid-19 are changing and may include not only the dry cough, fever, headache but also sore throat, congestion and in some cases digestive issues.
Discussion on the plan of action if Des Moines becomes a hot spot. Waiting for response from HR Manager
Discussion on setting up subcontracting, in advance, in the event custodian staffing issues due to Coronavirus related issues.
When/if staffing declines, management plans to do the bargaining unit work
Congresswoman Cindy Axne has signed on as a co-sponsor to HR6425, Protect Post Office Act! Expecting Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer’s support, as well.
Urgency of the situation reflected in calls deploying RNs in certain fields to serve starting Friday.
Hospitals have gone from giving each patient a mask to only offering them to those who admit to experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 when asked.
Recommendation on cleaning plexiglass with an alcohol solution
Discussion on buying masks for our members and possibly uniting with other postal Unions
Concerns that roughly 25% on tour 3 are wearing masks.
Discussion on reaching out to schools (Johnston), UAW for face shields.

Please join the DMI-APWU zoom meeting by emailing Mike Bates mjbates2016@gmail.com to stay up to date on the latest Covid-19 news. We would love to hear your input!

United we stand, divided we fall!