Teamsters Establish Date for UPS Strike

Members of the Teamsters union, who represent over 340,000 United Parcel Service (UPS) workers, have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if ongoing contract negotiations fail to reach an agreement. According to CNN, 97% of the voting members support the strike, which is set to begin on August 1, the day after the current contract expires. Sean O’Brien, the Teamsters general president, expressed the unity and determination of the union: “This vote demonstrates that hundreds of thousands of Teamsters are committed to securing the best contract in UPS history.”

The negotiations between the union and UPS have been ongoing for several months, as reported by The Hill. UPS has stated that progress is being made in the discussions, particularly regarding logistics warehouse workers and package delivery drivers. However, the company also acknowledges that there are still significant differences in pay and the issue of relying on lower-paid drivers. Despite the strike authorization vote, UPS emphasizes that a strike is not imminent and that it will not impact their current operations.

A potential strike by UPS workers would have a substantial impact on the US economy. UPS trucks transport goods representing approximately 6% of the nation’s gross domestic product. Additionally, the contracts negotiated by UPS have historically set the standard for workers’ rights and have contributed to the establishment of a strong middle class, according to The Washington Post. The Teamsters highlight that UPS profits have nearly doubled during the current contract’s five-year term. O’Brien concludes, “If UPS fails to fulfill the contract that our hardworking members deserve, it will essentially be striking itself.”