UPS, TEAMSTERS PLAN EARLY START FOR CONTRACT TALKS

UPS, TEAMSTERS PLAN EARLY START FOR CONTRACT TALKS    UPS, the Atlanta-based express freight giant, said Tuesday it had reached an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for an early beginning of negotiations to replace a five-year collective bargaining agreement that expires July 31.
   The union and the company plan to start negotiations for a new pact in late January. Five years ago, UPS and the Teamsters waited until March to open their talks and didn’t meet continuously until May.
   “The Teamsters have said they recognize an early start to negotiations is the best way to protect UPS volume and preserve Teamster jobs,” said Chris Mahoney, senior UPS vice president for transportation.