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Family of postal worker Russell Scruggs, Jr. launches GoFundMe campaign to cover legal and funeral expenses

Palmetto, Georgia postal worker Russell Scruggs Jr. [Photo by Scruggs family]

On November 15, postal worker Russell Scruggs Jr. died at the Palmetto, Georgia USPS Processing & Distribution Center.

Coworkers told the WSWS that Russell died in the plant when his head hit the ground after falling. The exact cause of his fall remains unclear, but workers raised concerns over the lack of medical emergency protocol and zero cell phone service throughout most of the building. The lack of cell phone service caused significant delays in contacting emergency services for help.

Russell’s sister, Latoya Scruggs, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and legal fees.

“My name is Latoya Scruggs and today I’m reaching out with a heavy heart and a mission that no family should ever have to face,” she wrote in her GoFundMe appeal. “My brother, Russell Scruggs, tragically passed away while at his place of employment. His death has left our family devastated, confused, and searching for answers. We believe that more could have been done to protect him, and we are now fighting to make sure his life, his story, and his rights truly protected. And justice is served as equal.”

Russell’s coworker said, “Every donation can help them in their fight for justice and cover burial expenses. We thank you for your kindness.”

Workers who would like to make a donation can visit the Scruggs family’s GoFundMe page.

On November 19, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) issued a call for an independent inquiry—led by rank-and-file workers—into the deaths of Russell and Nick Acker, a postal worker who was killed at the Allen Park DNDC in Michigan just two weeks prior.

Nick Acker and Russell Scruggs, Jr. died at two separate US postal facilities in the past two weeks. Postal workers who want to get involved in the inquiry can read the IWA-RFC statement and fill out the form to get involved.

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