Contract negotiations between UPS Inc. and the Teamsters union collapsed early Wednesday morning, with each side blaming the other for its demise.
The Teamsters issued a statement saying that UPS (NYSE: UPS) walked away from the bargaining table at 4 a.m. after presenting an unacceptable offer to the Teamsters that did not address members’ needs. The UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee unanimously rejected the package.
Following marathon negotiations, UPS refused to give the Teamsters a last, best and final offer, telling the union the company had nothing more to give, the Teamsters’ statement said.
“This multibillion-dollar corporation has plenty to give American workers — they just don’t want to,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “UPS had a choice to make, and they have clearly chosen to go down the wrong road.”
The five-year UPS Teamsters contract covering more than 340,000 full- and part-time workers expires July 31. No additional negotiations are scheduled, the Teamsters said. The union has threatened to strike Aug. 1 without a contract in-hand. The rank-and-file has overwhelmingly authorized a strike should talks break off.
In its statement, UPS said the Teamsters have “stopped negotiating despite UPS’ historic offer that builds on our industry-leading pay. We have nearly a month left to negotiate. We have not walked away, and the union has a responsibility to remain at the table.
“Refusing to negotiate, especially when the finish line is in sight, creates significant unease among employees and customers and threatens to disrupt the U.S. economy. Only our non-union competitors benefit from the Teamsters’ actions,” UPS said.
The company said that “we’re proud of our offer. It delivers wins for our people. The Teamsters should return to the table to finalize this deal.”
Over the weekend, UPS agreed to end a two-tier driver pay system and convert all junior drivers into regular package car drivers with the same pay as their senior counterparts. UPS also agreed to establish Martin Luther King Day as a paid holiday.
P Marble
the teamsters should post the number they gave on wages health and pension and other items for the everyone to see how UPS is lowballing
Jay
Drivers have been working 6 days a week since November 2019.1 paid holiday and less than a dollar raise is nothing.Drivers also didn’t even receive hazard pay.Drivers died got sick and well as their family members.Hope the company takes care of the TEAMSTERS….
Ronda B Keefer
Corporations are ALWAYS getting richer while their blue collar workers continue to get poorer. Praise to UPS hold out we the middle class are tired of CORPORATE GREED!
Richard
What about us people who work the line to get the packages from point a to the delivery
Dick Bischoff
Sean O’Brien is proving himself to be a one man wrecking crew, out to destroy the teamsters union and those poor souls he proclaims to represent. He’s going to cause the demise of Yellow and now is out to destroy UPS and upend the lives of 350,000 employees. Workers should recall this dude and put him out to pasture.
J
I keep hearing everyone complain that we make over 100k a year. Thats not true for 60% of the employees, as they are part time only employees. The part time wage starts in my area at $13/hr. And the drivers that make the 100k a year are forced to work over 60hr weeks. That doesnt translate to the 100k/yr salary. We are paid hourly. How many hours do you people have to work at your job to make 100k a year? Because we work 60 per week with 20 of FORCED overtime. Not volunteer. If we worked 8hr days we would only make 65k. So keep that in mind. A blanket statement by some of you sayin you dont feel bad we make too much? No. We earn it every week and our families time and commitment pay the price. We have lives too. No need to work from 830 am to 930pm every day, every week. We get a 12hr dispatch and a 1hr lunch. So no matter which way you chop it is 13+ per day. Managments answer… We’ll just pay the grievances for going over your 9.5hr protection. No remorse. No consideration. No adjustment in dispatch. But… Managment for our building comes in at 730am. Leaves by 2pm. And makes twice what we do. Meanwhile we were essential and put our lives and families lives at risk every day during covid, while most of you sat at home getting paid to quarantine. We paid that price. Ive been here 28 years. Been thru the last strike. And not intimidated to do it again.
We deserve a fair contract. It isnt about money at this point. Its about quality of life. And thats why our union, its members, and their families are going to continue the fight! Lets go teamsters! Get us the protection and contract we deserve! #local120
Part time
WHAT ABOUT RAISES FOR THE PART-TIMERS? What most people don’t realize is that the company is made up of 60% part -timers who only make 15.50 per the 2018 contract. All you hear about is the drivers not the warehouse workers who work their asses off only to get paid less than someone who works at fast food . Not very good pay for a union job
James Slonaker
I hope the union holds out for a fair and just contract. The AFL-CIO, UAW, and the many other unions should be showing support for the teamsters. Good contracts raise the standard of living for all Americans. It’s time to stop the shrinking middle class. While the ultra rich get richer.