UPS to go on strike August 1. Plan accordingly

[y4j1981]

Word is talks fell apart and union UPS workers won't work past July 31. If you use UPS for delivery, might want to check other options

www.axios.com/2023/07/05/ups-labor-negotiations-strike>

UPS driver strike looms after labor negotiations break down

Labor talks between UPS and its unionized drivers and warehouse workers broke down early Wednesday, with both sides accusing the other of walking away from the negotiating table.

Why it matters: If no deal is reached, a strike could throw the supply chain into chaos, disrupt the U.S. economy and push customers toward rival shipping companies.

The workers' current contract expires July 31. No additional negotiations are currently scheduled, the Teamsters Union said.

The big picture: The Teamsters — who represent more than 340,000 UPS workers nationwide — said that UPS "walked away from the bargaining table" after putting forth an "unacceptable" offer that was rejected by the Teamsters.

UPS refuted the claims in its own statement, saying UPS has not walked away from negotiations but rather that the Teamsters "stopped negotiating despite UPS's historic offer."

State of play: The negotiations have been held up by disagreements over pay and cost of living increases.

The union argues that salaries haven't reflected the large profits UPS enjoyed in recent years, Bloomberg notes.

The Teamsters also say UPS hasn't done enough to reward workers who risked their health to deliver packages during the pandemic.

Between the lines: UPS delivers 20 million packages every day in the U.S. Should a strike occur, competitors like FedEx and the postal service likely wouldn't be able to absorb all of the extra load, snarling supply chains.

[Feyrhausen]

More money, AC in trucks, great. But I worked at a UPS facility in 2021. Those drivers were the most irresponsible idiots out there. No masks, no vaccine, etc. And the union was backing them fully on not protecting themselves or others from COVID. So screw that hero risk BS.

[y4j1981]

Tentative new contract agreed to, no strike while new vote and discussions on new contract between August 3 - 22.

apnews.com/article/ups-teamsters-strike-labor-logistics-delivery-a94482dbff7bfb67ad82f607ab127672

Negotiators had already reached tentative agreements on several issues but continued to clash over pay for part-time workers, who make up more than half of the UPS employees represented by the union.

Under the tentative agreement, which still needs union members’ approval, full- and part-time union workers will get $2.75 more per hour in 2023, and $7.50 more by the end of the five-year contract. The agreement also includes a provision to increase starting pay for part-time workers — whom the union says are the most at risk of exploitation — from $16.20 per hour to $21 per hour. The average pay for part-timers had been $20.

The two sides had already tentatively agreed to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a full holiday and to end forced overtime on drivers’ days off. Tentative agreements on safety issues were also reached, including equipping more trucks with air conditioning.

UPS had also agreed to eliminate a lower-paid category of drivers who work shifts that include weekends, and convert them into regular full-time drivers. Under the agreement, the company will create 7,500 full-time jobs and fill 22,500 open positions, allowing more part-timers to transition to full-time.