COVID-19 Related Memorandums
The following COVID-19 Memorandum of Understanding listed below between the United States Post Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers have been extended thru September 25, 2020.
**UPDATE** These Memorandum’s have been extended until December 31st, 2020.
M-01910 Re: Temporary Expanded Sick Leave for dependent Care During COVID-19.
This memo may be used by an employee for unexpected childcare needs as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Specifically, employees may use sick leave for dependent care in the event they must care for a child as a result of daycare closures, school (Pre-K through Grade 12) closures or the unavailability of a child’s primary caregiver as a result of the COVID-19.
NOTE: The MOU does not change the 80 hour limit for sick leave that may be used for dependent care in any year.
M-01911: Re: Temporary Additional Paid Leave for CCA’s.
This MOU will give city carrier assistants an additional 80 hours of paid leave to use in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic in the following circumstances:
The employee has contacted COVID-19 or has been directly exposed to someone with COVID-19
The employee has visited any country (currently China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, and most other European counties) within 14 days of the employee returning to work;
The employee returns from a trip on a cruise ship in which an identified case of COVID-19; or
The employee is experiencing symptoms generally associated with COVID-19 or
Consistent with the MOU Re: Temporary Expanded Sick Leave for dependent Care During COVID-19.
M-01913 Re: Temporary use of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) 432.53, City Letter Carriers (7:01 Rule)
This memo will institute the use of the ELM Section 432.53, City Letter Carriers which states in part:
432.53 City Letter Carriers (7:01 Rule)
A city letter carrier who actually works more than 7 hours but less than 8 hours of a regular scheduled day and who is officially excused from the completion of the 8-hour tour is credited with 8 hours of work time for pay purposes.
This is known as the 7:01 rule (see 443.212).
M-01915 Re: Temporary Workplace Changes to Promote Social Distancing.
This agreement committed the parties to limiting individuals to working only in their employing facilities to the extent possible. The MOU also directs the local parties to immediately discuss potential scheduling and office setup changes such as staggered start times, scheduling letter carriers to begin tours in groups of 10 or less, the manner in which stand-up talks are given, as well as break locations and times, and other initiatives to maximize social distancing .
M-01916 Re: Temporary Carrier Assistants-COVID-19
This agreement allows the Postal Service to employ Temporary Carrier Assistants (TCA’s) during the period between March 30, 2020, and May 27, 2020, as operationally necessary for the sole purpose of replacing city letter carriers absent due to COVID-19.
Also extended through September 25th (**Update** extended until December 31st) is a USPS memorandum which instructs managers and supervisors to allow liberal changes of schedule to accommodate employees who are dealing with childcare issues related to the pandemic. The USPS memorandum also provides for liberal sick leave usage for employees who are sick and liberal annual and leave without pay (LWOP) to the extent operationally feasible, treats COVID-19 related leave as scheduled (as opposed to unscheduled) leave, and directs that leave taken for COVID-19 related reasons during this time not be cited in discipline for failing to maintain an assigned schedule.
