The Teamsters Union voted by 97 percent to go on strike by July 31 if they fail to come to an agreement with United Parcel Systems (UPS). An offer by UPS to the union on June 22 was rejected by Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. The President said of the initial vote, “This vote shows that hundreds of thousands of Teamsters are united and determined to get the best contract in our history at UPS. If this multibillion-dollar corporation fails to deliver on the contract that our hardworking members deserve, UPS will be striking itself.”
The President commented on the offer made by UPS, “The Teamsters will not bargain or accept any contract that’s cost-neutral. We are not going to sell ourselves short in these negotiations, and we will not buy back terms and conditions to protect our members. We have 39 days to go. This company is wasting time putting forth offensive proposals. If UPS wants to negotiate a contract for 1997 working conditions, they’re going to get 1997 consequences.”
The Teamsters Union wants a number of concessions, but the most important ones are reductions in Overtime requirements, the end of the two-tier pay system, higher part-time pay, more full-time jobs, video cameras for drivers and harassment protections.
About Author
4 thoughts on “UPS Faces Teamsters Strike”