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American Morning

Anthrax Investigation: Discussion with President-Elect of American Postal Workers Union

Aired October 24, 2001 - 11:52   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: At this point, there are countless issues that still must be worked out in the U.S. postal system, given the recent anthrax cases there.

Let's talk more about it with William Burris, president-elect of the American Postal Workers Union, joins us live from Washington.

Sir, good morning to you.

WILLIAM BURRIS, AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION: Good morning.

HEMMER: The Postmaster General John Potter said earlier today that there is no guarantee right now that the mail currently in the U.S. system is indeed safe. How do you feel about statements like that?

BURRIS: There is no guarantee. We are getting a higher level of confidence in the mail day by day. At this point in time, we can't give an absolute guarantee. We'll get there. We are not there yet.

HEMMER: What do you hear -- and you're head of the union. What are you hearing throughout coworkers throughout the postal system?

BURRIS: Postal employees are afraid. They are committed to serving the American public. And after the tragedies of the last two weeks, they stay on the job, they continue to serve the American public, as we have over the last 200 years, but they are afraid. They are concerned with their personal safety. Their concerned about the items they are delivering to the American citizens. So on balance, they continue to have fear.

HEMMER: And, William, just showing up for the job at this point can be dangerous, and we have seen it as also life threatening, the case of two who passed away on Monday. In the immediate term, what can be done? Gloves, masks, machines, all of it, or none of it?

BURRIS: All of it -- gloves, masks, frequent washing of the hands, protective testing, purchase of equipment that will screen the mail and sanitize it, counseling for the employees, treatment where necessary, all of these. We're providing as much protection as humanly possible at the present time, but we're not totally safe yet.

HEMMER: And when you say that, what are you hearing in terms of absenteeism? Are workers showing up for work, or are some of them shying away.

BURRIS: No, we have a large work force, and there are absences everyday. But on balance, the attendance levels are comparable to as they were a year ago. Employees are committed to their jobs. We know what our role is in the American society. We deliver America's mail, and we continue do that.

HEMMER: As you well know, the letter that was received to Senator Daschle's office last week cleared out a number of offices on Capitol Hill. However, it did not clear out any postal facilities or branches. Your reaction to that, and was there a double standard here, or indeed is there a possibility that the government is trying to get up to speed just like so many other people? And at this point, that decision can be excused.

BURRIS: I respond to that question with perfect vision as to what occurred over the past two weeks. I know that our machinery has the capability of releasing the contents of the letters that come through the Postal Service. I know that our cleaning procedures for equipment can distribute that material throughout the workplace.

At the time the decisions were made, we didn't know that. The CDC and the United States Postal Service acted upon the assumption that the contents of letters would remain sealed as they were transported through the Postal System. That is not what occurred.

We -- I believe the CDC and the Postal Service reacted responsibly at the time. There are some times proper decisions have improper consequences. I think that's what occurred in this situation.

HEMMER: I respect your answer, and quickly, I just want to bring up one other point.

I'm told we are out of time. I apologize.

William Burris, thanks for stopping by. Come on back and keep a gauge of what's happening there, OK? Thank you, sir.

BURRIS: Thank you.

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