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Alas, We Have Not Been Forgotten

Alas, We Have Not Been Forgotten
By Dioenis D. Perez
Long Island, NY, Branch 202 Vice President and Postmaster of Syosset

I’m privately praying to God every day that, by the time this is published, our lives have returned to some form of normalcy, there is a cure on the horizon for COVID-19 and testing has been ramped up as necessary. My column in the May issue primarily was about us not being forgotten as frontline, essential workers.

I’m happy to report we have not been forgotten by our customers or the USPS. As far as a political acknowledgment from Washington DC—that’s another story. I encourage everyone, including those in your family, to write to your political representatives to ask them to support and fund the USPS and prevent privatization, which is what this administration is looking to do.

Don’t be on the sidelines on this issue, please. The postal life you save may be your own. I have to tip my hat to the response from USPS Headquarters concerning their employees during this pandemic. The challenge was implementing and maintaining social distancing and providing supplies to safeguard our employees. That includes masks, gloves, liquid hand sanitizers and hand wipes.

There also are MOUs with the unions, administrative pay leave and a liberal sick leave policy, along with the educational service talks about COVID-19 and letters from district managers appreciating the work being done by every employee: Human Resources, Safety, Operations and Maintenance staffs, our nurses, our MPOOs and last, but certainly not the least, our EAS supervisors and postmasters. What an outstanding job you all have done during this unprecedented time.

A special heartfelt thank you to my NAPS area vice president—Jimmy Warden—for reaching out to me when I was sick and offering his personal help and kindness; my Branch 202 President Tom Barone who checked in on me daily; and Northeast Region Vice President Tommy Roma and my district manager, Frank Calabrese, who offered words of encouragement.

I want our members to know there are some very special people in NAPS working hard to protect your rights and who seek no credit for their dedication or kindness. Appreciate them because you really have no idea how hard they are working for you behind the scenes.

For those who weathered the COVID-19 storm and returned to work, we all are happy to see your healthy return. For those who lost friends, family members and co-workers during these past few months from COVID-19 or something else, please remember them and take a minute to keep them in your prayers.

With dignity and respect, always.