Unionized UPS workers could strike this summer, scrambling supply chains and home delivery

Potential Strike by Unionized UPS Workers Threatens Supply Chains and Home Delivery

In a significant development, unionized UPS workers have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike, raising concerns about potential disruptions to supply chains and home delivery services. The strike would take place if an agreement is not reached between the package delivery company and the Teamsters before their contract expires next month.

The Teamsters, representing approximately 340,000 UPS employees, announced that 97% of unionized workers voted in favor of the strike authorization. The union sought this mandate to strengthen their position during negotiations with the company. However, it’s important to note that a yes vote does not guarantee an immediate strike.

Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien emphasized that if UPS fails to honor the contract that their hardworking members deserve, it would essentially be harming itself. He stated that the workers’ labor is their most powerful leverage, and they are prepared to withhold it to ensure UPS acts appropriately.

The potential strike holds significant implications due to UPS’s substantial growth and its integral role in the U.S. economy. The company claims to handle around 6% of the nation’s gross domestic product, highlighting the potential far-reaching consequences of a strike.

UPS responded to the strike vote, stating that it does not currently impact the company’s ongoing operations. They explained that authorization votes and approvals are standard in labor union negotiations. The company expressed confidence in reaching an agreement that satisfies the employees, the Teamsters, the company itself, and its customers, while also acknowledging progress on key issues.

UPS workers remain dissatisfied with the current contract, which they believe was imposed on them by previous union leadership in 2018 due to a technicality. The contract introduced two tiers of workers with varying pay scales, hours, and benefits, and the union aims to eliminate this distinction.

Apart from addressing concerns regarding part-time pay and excessive overtime, the union is advocating for improvements in driver safety, particularly the absence of air conditioning in delivery trucks, which has led to a driver’s death and other hospitalizations.

In recent news, the union and the company announced a tentative agreement to equip more trucks with air conditioning equipment. UPS committed to adding air conditioning to small delivery vehicles purchased after January 1, 2024. However, this provision does not apply to vehicles already in use. Instead, the union reported that two fans would be installed in all vehicles upon ratification of a new contract. Additionally, the company agreed to include heat shields in certain vehicles and install air vents in all cars within 18 months of a new contract. UPS estimated that approximately 95% of its existing U.S. package delivery fleet would undergo enhancements.

Teamsters spokesperson Kara Deniz revealed that around two dozen tentative agreements have been reached between the union and UPS since the negotiations began in April. The current contract is set to expire on July 31.

With UPS delivering approximately 25 million packages daily, accounting for a quarter of all U.S. parcel volume, any disruption caused by a strike could have significant consequences. The company’s profits have soared during the pandemic as home delivery became increasingly relied upon by millions of Americans.

The Teamsters argue that this profit growth is largely attributed to the hard work of UPS drivers and warehouse workers, responsible for transporting various goods, including heavy items like dog food, wine cases, and prescriptions.

The dissatisfaction with the current contract also played a role in the rejection of a Teamsters candidate favored by longtime union head James Hoffa. Instead, union members elected Sean O’Brien, who is firm on the Teamsters’ contract demands from UPS.

A potential win for the Teamsters at UPS could impact organized labor beyond the company, as evidenced by labor organization campaigns in prominent companies like Apple, Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, and even a dance club in Los Angeles. The Teamsters are also seeking to organize workers at Amazon. Additionally, the new president of the United Auto Workers issued a strong warning, indicating that the union is preparing for strikes when contracts with Detroit’s three automakers expire in September.

AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report from Detroit.

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More about strike authorization

• UPS Official Website
• Teamsters Official Website
• Associated Press (AP) (for related news articles)
• United Auto Workers Official Website