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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 14, 2023 Page 17 Mercury remains prohibited in the mail T he United States Postal Service (USPS) is reminding customers that metallic mercury and devices containing metallic mercury are always prohibited in the mail stream. This includes antique items such as thermometers, barometers, blood pressure monitors and similar devices. However, compact fl uorescent lamps, which contain small amounts of mercury in vapor form, are mailable domestically but not internationally. Here’s what you should do: 1. Review USPS Publication 52, “Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail,” to fi nd out if your item is mailable. 2. Follow U.S. laws and USPS hazardous material (hazmat) guidelines. 3. Ship items securely with required labels and markings. Customers can take their package to a Post Offi ce locaDEMONSTRATION | FROM PAGE 10 holding signs stating “JUSTICE CAN’T WAIT! FREEDOM TO UNIONIZE NOW” and a prominent banner stating “PASS THE RIDESHARE DRIVER JUSTICE BILL.” As the caravan reached Beacon Hill, cosponsors, labor leaders and community representatives gathered with drivers on the State House steps to urge passage of the legislation, beginning with State Senators Jason Lewis and Liz Miranda, who jointly introduced the bill. Participants at the rally included Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, the International Association of Machinists, the Chinese Progressive Association, the True Alliance Center, the Merrimack Valley Project and the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. “Despite what Uber and Lyft want you to believe, these are not side gigs to pad a regular paycheck,” said Senator Lewis. “Drivers count on the stability and security of their earnings to survive, just like passengers count on the skills and dedication of their drivers to get where they’re going promptly and safely, said Senator Lewis. “We need to give drivers the freedom to unionize, as well as basic workplace protections, so that the rideshare industry in Massachusetts can remain as dependable as it has always been, simple and fl exible.” “Rideshare and delivery drivers in Massachusetts are predominantly black and brown and many of them are immigrants – populations with a long history of exploitation to make sure it is labeled correctly. Improper, undeclared or prohibited hazmat shipping can have serious consequences for everyone involved. Full responsibility rests with the mailer to comply with all USPS and non-USPS laws and regulations in the mailing of hazmat. Anyone who mails, or causes to be mailed, a nonmailable or improperly packaged hazmat can be subject to legal penalties (i.e., fines and/or imprisonment), including those specifi ed in 18 U.S.C. The transport of hazmat prior to entry as U.S. Mail and after receipt from the USPS is subject to Department of Transportation regulations. If a person knowingly mails items or materials that are dangerous or injurious to life, health or property, they might face a civil penalty of tion,” said Senator Miranda. “Without our support, drivers will continue to lack even the most basic protections to keep themselves safe and to ensure they can provide for themselves and their families. The bill sets a fl oor by providing employment standards like unemployment insurance and a minimum compensation. And by allowing drivers to form a union, it also provides them the means to raise that fl oor in the future.” “I stand with the tens of thousands of immigrant drivers who have endured a second-class existence long enough,” said Matt Parker of Union of Minority Neighborhoods. “Without union rights, these workers are subjected to wages that often plunge beneath the state’s minimum threshold, denied access to fundamental benefi ts like healthcare and unemployment support, and, in the worst cases, unjustly fi red, leaving them stranded, unable to provide for their families. This exploitative system can be transformed; it’s within the legislators’ power to do so.” “The Rideshare Driver Justice Bill follows in the footsteps of previous Massachusetts legislation that has previously granted other workers the right to form a union, including homecare workers,” said State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier. “Uber and Lyft drivers must be provided the same protections as any other worker in our state. And it’s our duty to act now before the rideshare industry attempts to buy our state at least $250, but not more than $100,000, per violation, the costs of any cleanup associated with each violation, and damages. They might also face criminal penalties. The USPS is committed to the safety and security of its employees, its customers and its transportation networks and will remain vigilant in safeguarding the mail stream against any article that might pose a hazard to health, safety, property or the environment. Reminder: Eff ective July 9, USPS requires Electronic Indicators when shipping hazmat and Dangerous Goods (DG). Publication 52, “Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail,” will be revised to incorporate new requirements for mailers to use unique Service Type Codes (STCs) and extra service codes (ESCs) withwith the bogus ballot question they tried to pass last year that would severely undercut protections for an already underprotected workforce.” Uber and Lyft drivers face substantial financial hardships due to diminishing earnings resulting from increased commissions and enduring infl ation. Additionally, drivers bear the burden of paying outof-pocket for gas, car maintein the tracking barcodes and electronic data submission for package shipments containing hazmat or DG. Additional tools: “Hazmat Shipping Tutorial: https:// www.uspsdelivers .com/ hazmat-shipping-sa fe - ty/. Public service announcement on mercury: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wriu99Z01r8 Please note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 165 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the USPS is implementing a 10year transformation plan, Denance and other work-related expenses, exacerbating their financial struggles. To make ends meet, many drivers are forced to work over 60 hours per week. Industry-leading company Uber generated revenue of $31.8 billion revenue in 2022, an 82% increase on the previous year. In an attempt to silence Massachusetts workers, they spent $13 million on a livering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term fi nancial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands. The USPS generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow USPS on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube channel, like USPS on Facebook and enjoy the USPS Postal Posts blog. For more information about USPS, visit usps.com and facts. usps.com. voter initiative last year, which was ultimately invalidated by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and did not appear on the ballot. Recognizing the potential for another ballot measure in Massachusetts, drivers urged the State Legislature to act urgently to safeguard their rights before Uber and Lyft could employ similar tactics to avoid granting drivers the rights they deserve. ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS....Welcome to 26 Juniper Drive. This spacious Split offers 8+ rooms, kitchen with wood cabinets, granite counters and island, open concept to dinning room, sliders to sunroom with deck over looking private yard, spacious living room hardwood floors, 3 bedrooms hardwood floors, main bedroom has private bath, lower level carpeted, fireplace family room, office and laundry room with half bath, 2 car garage, central air, pull down attic stairs, security system, near shopping, restaurants and Route One access. Offered at $819,900. 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com

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