The American Postal Workers Union Doubles Down on Safety with Campaign for Safe Jobs

(This article appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)

On April 28, Workers’ Memorial Day, APWU members across the country will double down
on our shared commitment to protecting the health and safety of postal workers by standing up to management to say, “Talk is cheap: safety matters.” Recognized annually, Workers’ Memorial Day honors
workers who have been injured or killed on the job and underscores the urgent need for safer working
conditions.

THIS YEAR, APWU LEADERSHIP IS ENCOURAGING MEMBERS TO VISIBLY
STAND UP FOR OUR COLLECTIVE SAFETY BY PARTICIPATING IN COORDINATED ACTIONS AT POSTAL FACILITIES AND DOCUMENTING THOSE EFFORTS.

APWU MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO TAKE PHOTOS SHOWING THEIR COMMITMENT
TO SAFETY — WHETHER THAT MEANS WEARING SAFETY CAMPAIGN GEAR, POSTING SAFETY MESSAGES ON SOCIAL MEDIA, OR SPEAKING WITH COWORKERS ABOUT WORKPLACE HAZARDS — AND SEND THEM TO COMMUNICATIONS@APWU.ORG.

These images will help strengthen the message that we, as postal workers, are united in demanding safe jobs for all of us, and making sure management does their part too.

Postal workers work every day in a dangerous, highly industrialized environment filled with heavy machinery, vehicles, and repetitive tasks. The reality is sobering: the Postal Service consistently reports more workplace injuries than nearly all other federal agencies. Historically, industrial accidents at the Postal Service have resulted in more worker deaths than all other federal agencies combined. This is not just a number; these are our coworkers, friends, and family members whose lives have been forever changed.

While it is management’s responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace, APWU leadership would like to remind members that safety enforcement often requires constant vigilance and collective action. Unsafe staffing levels, broken equipment, inadequate training, and pressure to cut corners all contribute to preventable injuries. Addressing these hazards requires informed and engaged workers willing to Stand Up for Safe Jobs.

That is where our union solidarity makes the difference. Every time a postal worker refuses an unsafe instruction, a steward files a grievance, or an APWU member challenges management’s negligence, we create a culture where safety is fundamental. Our actions protect not only individual workers, but everyone on the workroom floor.

The Talk is Cheap: Safety Matters. campaign slogan is a call to action for every APWU member. By standing together, documenting unsafe conditions, and demanding accountability, postal workers can force meaningful change.

Stand with the APWU this year as we fight — together — for safer jobs, safer facilities, and a Postal Service that truly values the lives and well-being of its workforce. On Feb. 10, President Jonathan Smith hosted a livestream to discuss the need for this campaign and introduce safety checklists for local leaders and individuals to complete. Take a look online and prepare to kick off our campaign on Workers’ Memorial Day in April!