COVID-19 and EAP Services

(This article first appeared in the May/June 2020 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

During this crisis, stress and fear are becoming all too normal because none of us are sure whether we were exposed, if we are a carrier, or if we possibly will have a mild or serious case that places us at death’s door. We are concerned about spreading this virus to our families, friends and other human beings. The fact that getting tested is seriously difficult and vaccines are not available has placed all of us in a vulnerable place.

As essential workers, we continue to report to work and move the mail every day. If you do not have protective equipment, leave benefits, quarantine rights, contact tracing, or facility deep cleaning where there is a test positive case, contact your local union president immediately. Be a union activist.

Employee Assistance Program

For those that need immediate support to relieve stress, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has support specifically dealing with COVID-19, exposure and coping with death. EAP has 24/7 services:

• Counseling over the phone
• Online video counseling
• Web-based resources
• ‘In the moment' support
• Coaching
• Consultation

Find out more by going to www.EAP4YOU.com or calling 1-800-327-4968, TTY 877-482-7341. I cannot stress enough that no one should feel negative in any way for reaching out to their services. This crisis is stressful for every human around the globe, doubly so for all essential workers. Anger, frustration, isolation and family violence, are increasing and everyone deserves support. Don't fight it alone.

Right to Vote by Mail

This pandemic has also made one thing abundantly clear: this country needs nationwide voting by mail and no excuse absentee voting enacted now. Our democracy is at stake as we head into what some are saying the most important federal election in the last 100 years.

We help to deliver the right to vote in America. COVID-19 has adversely affected our right to vote safely. The White House has not only attacked the USPS by failing to provide stimulus money, but has also attacked the right to Vote by Mail. The administration’s goal to privatize us demonstrates the importance of postal workers. We must stand up and fight back by helping to get the right to vote by mail during this pandemic.

We must help to push the right to vote by mail in states and in our federal election in November 2020. Vote by mail provides easy, safe, hack-proof voting. We need to help get people registered and to apply for an absentee ballot.

Postal workers are essential workers who help protect our country from bio-terrorist activities, bio-medical pandemics, and process and deliver election materials and absentee ballots for everyone, including our veterans overseas.

Can we count on you to be an APWU Activist? Our country needs us and we need them. Together we can save the Postal Service, and provide real democracy. Contact your local/state president to get involved now.