UPS Freight Members Authorize Strikes, If Required
United Parcel Service Inc. workers have authorized their union to call what would be the first strike since 1997, giving negotiators more leverage in talks to replace a labor contract that expires at the end of July.
As reported by Bloomberg, of the workers from the package unit who voted, 93 percent favored the authorization and 91 percent of UPS freight employees agreed to the measure, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced on a Webcast last night.
The vote was conducted by an electronic secret ballot, but the rate of voter participation wasn’t provided.
A strike authorization is common during negotiations to put pressure on the company, said UPS spokesman Glenn Zaccara.
Even with that, the union can’t go on strike until after the current contract expires on July 31, 2018.
“UPS is confident in our ability to reach an agreement that meets the needs of our employees and the business, we have already reached tentative agreements on a wide variety of non-economic issues,” Zaccara said.
Denis Taylor, Director of the Teamsters Package Division and Co-Chairman of the Teamsters National UPS Negotiating Committee stated:
“This vote by our UPS and UPS Freight members gives the negotiating committees bargaining leverage this week and during subsequent negotiations for the national contract and the supplements.”
“It is very helpful to have the members’ backing as we work toward negotiating strong contracts at UPS and UPS Freight.”
The labor talks are proceeding amid discussions on pay and work schedules, as UPS looks to increase warehouse automation to keep up with surging demand from online e-commerce shipments.
Read: UPS Announces Increased Charges for Oversized Packages
The union has proposed increasing the part-time starting wage as well as improving the overall pay structure, according to a statement on its website.
It’s also pushing the courier to increase contributions to health and welfare and pension funds.
Union leaders urged support for strike authorization in a letter dated May 15 and signed by James P. Hoffa, general president of the Teamsters, and Denis Taylor.
The last time negotiations broke down was in 1997 when drivers went on strike for less than three weeks before terms were reached.
“Nobody wants a strike. It hurts the company and it hurts members,” they said in the letter. “However, the ability to strike is necessary in order to ensure a timely and positive conclusion to negotiations. We have to show that we’re not afraid of striking.”
Note: Go to www.upsrising.org for Teamster UPS contract updates and other news.
Image: Teamsters
Read: Q&A with FedEx Supply Chain on LTL’s Growing Role in Reverse Logistics and Ecommerce Returns
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