Title: Teamsters Union Threatens Nationwide Strike as UPS Contract Negotiations Reach Impasse
Subtitle: Union President Sean O’Brien Asserts Demands for Better Pay and Benefits for Part-Time Employees
Date: July 23, 2023
In a rally speech held in Atlanta on Saturday, Teamsters union President Sean O’Brien warned of an impending nationwide strike by UPS workers, stating, “We’ve organized, strategized, now it’s time to pulverize.” The union claims that 95% of the contract has been negotiated, with the remaining issue being economic compensation, particularly for part-time workers.
Speaking to CNN’s Isabel Rosales, O’Brien emphasized the need for UPS to adequately compensate its employees, especially part-time workers. Despite UPS spokespersons claiming that part-time workers receive the same benefits as full-time employees, it has been reported that part-time workers earn less than their full-time counterparts, with average earnings of around $20 per hour compared to full-time employees making approximately $95,000 per year.
With the contract deadline set for July 31, O’Brien stated that if an agreement is not reached by that date, UPS workers will withhold their labor starting from August 1 at 12:01 a.m. O’Brien emphasized the impact such a strike would have on UPS, noting that the company’s supply chain solutions, vital to delivering 7% of the gross national product, would face significant disruptions.
According to O’Brien, the repercussions of a strike would extend beyond the United States, affecting international operations as well. Allegedly, the pilots union representing UPS pilots has committed to supporting the Teamsters by refusing to work if a strike were to occur.
Expressing her willingness to go without pay during a strike, part-time package handler Elizabeth Laster shared her frustrations with CNN. After working at UPS for seven years, Laster explained that she feels the company reaps significant profits while struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three sons. Laster demanded fairness, stating, “The packages don’t move unless we move them … we’re the ones that are making all that money, and we don’t see it. How is that fair?”
This news article includes a correction: a previous version of the story misquoted Teamsters union president Sean O’Brien, and the correct quote is “We’ve organized, strategized, now it’s time to pulverize.”
As the contract negotiations approach a critical stage, tensions rise within the UPS workforce, with the possibility of a nationwide strike looming large. The outcome of these negotiations will significantly impact the future of UPS and its employees, as well as causing potential disruptions to the company’s operations and supply chains.