The COVID-19 pandemic caused numerous problems for the Postal Service and the postal unions, but more importantly, the employees. The APWU and the other unions did our best to ensure that the safety of the members we represent was the foremost issue to account for by management during those difficult times. One problem that had to be addressed in 2020 was the new employee orientation process.
During the height of the pandemic, the APWU agreed to a one-time virtual presentation of the new employee orientation program. APWU received assurances from the Postal Service that once these employees reported to work at their assigned facilities, the union would have the opportunity to meet with each of them to explain the importance of membership with the APWU. Unfortunately, management’s promises were broken in several areas throughout the country and the APWU missed out on the chance to organize thousands of new members.