As the national strike deadline looms, which could result in over 340,000 UPS drivers and warehouse workers walking off the job, the President of the Teamsters will stand in solidarity with local workers at a rally on July 19 in downtown Los Angeles.
A potential strike of this magnitude would go down in history as one of the largest labor actions ever witnessed in the United States. In Southern California alone, there are at least 40,000 individuals responsible for delivering and moving packages for UPS.
The negotiations to replace the contract set to expire on July 31 hit a deadlock after both UPS and the union left the bargaining table on July 5. So far, no further dates have been scheduled for renewed labor negotiations.
If the strike commences on August 1, it will cause significant disruption to package deliveries across the entire United States. However, UPS announced last week that it is training non-union workers to temporarily fill the positions in the event of a walkout.
“Although we have made remarkable progress and are close to reaching an agreement, we have a responsibility as an essential service provider to take precautions that enable us to deliver our customers’ packages in the event that the Teamsters decide to strike,” stated the company.
The Teamsters are advocating for a new five-year agreement that ensures better compensation for all employees and eradicates a two-tier wage system wherein certain drivers earn $5 an hour less for performing the same tasks as their counterparts.
Currently, warehouse employees start at $15.50 an hour, and over 100,000 UPS warehouse employees earn less than $20 an hour.
Furthermore, the union is demanding an increase in full-time job opportunities and improved safety measures against extreme heat and management harassment.
‘Ongoing efforts’
UPS stated that it has been actively involved in ongoing efforts to finalize a new contract that includes increased wages and benefits for employees.
“We largely agree on the majority of issues raised by the union and our workforce,” expressed the company. “We are eager to return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement by August 1 that benefits our customers, employees, the union, and the company.”
On Wednesday, at 8 a.m., UPS Teamsters, union President Sean M. O’Brien, and workers will convene at the company’s hub located at 1201 W. Olympic Blvd. in Los Angeles. Representatives from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Unite Here Local 11, the Writers Guild of America, and various Teamsters locals will also be in attendance.
Hannibal Aguilar, who has been a UPS package driver for over 28 years, highlighted extreme heat and micro-management from supervisors as the two main issues he has encountered throughout his career.
“On some days, it can be 100 degrees outside, but once you step into the back of the truck, it feels like 120 degrees,” shared the 45-year-old resident of Pomona. “And you have to deliver 4,000 to 5,000 pounds of packages, not to mention pickups.”
UPS recently announced that all newly purchased small-package delivery vehicles will be equipped with air conditioning starting in January. Additionally, the company plans to prioritize the delivery of new vehicles to regions with the highest temperatures. Pleased with this development, Aguilar believes it will greatly benefit UPS employees.
However, this initiative will only cover a small portion of the company’s fleet of over 120,000 delivery trucks in the U.S. UPS intends to install fans in the remaining trucks to ensure proper airflow. Furthermore, by June 1, trucks without air conditioning will have a second fan installed.
Micro-managing
Aguilar currently earns $42.33 per hour. Nevertheless, he often wonders if this compensation is enough considering the micro-managing he experiences.
“They are always monitoring us for being late,” he revealed. “They track us using GPS technology to determine when our vehicles are in motion or stationary. If I make a two-minute stop to grab a cold drink on a hot day, they will question my actions when I return.”
Aguilar mentioned that delivering packages to a high-rise building in Los Angeles has caused its fair share of problems.
“I have to use the freight elevator, and when you are going up 35 floors, it can take some time to get back down if the elevator is full,” he explained. “I faced harassment due to delays, but it was only resolved when management observed the challenging circumstances.”
Jenny Bekenstein, a 27-year-old residing in Los Angeles who works at the Olympic hub, shared her own experiences as a part-time warehouse employee. She works four hours per day.
“I start around 3 a.m., and the work involves heavy lifting with repetitive motions,” she said. “After being here for two years, I currently earn $16.60 per hour. We would like to see that increase to $25 an hour, but we would probably settle for $22 to $23 an hour.”
Bekenstein also discussed the harassment she faces during work hours.
“They are constantly pushing us to work faster,” she said. “Some managers will yell at you or even stand beside you while you are working to intimidate you.”
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