UPS Vows to Reach Labor Deal With Union Workers by July 5, Union Says
Amid threats of a strike, UPS this week offered union workers "significant movement on wages and other economic language" as part of ongoing labor contract negotiations, the Teamsters union, which represents package delivery and warehouse workers, said June 30. The union said UPS pledged to “reach a deal no later than July 5.”
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“One of two things is going to happen next -- UPS will come to terms on a deal we can confidently recommend to our members or UPS will fail and the company will put itself on the street," Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman said. "Thousands of UPS Teamsters are practice picketing right now across the country, showing UPS how serious we are about getting the best contract in our history."
The union earlier this week said it is preparing to strike after contract talks stalled, saying UPS “made it clear to its union workforce that it has no desire to reward or respectfully compensate UPS Teamsters for their labor and sacrifice.” Since then, Zuckerman said, the union received a counterproposal with “real movement.” But he also said the current counterproposal "isn't enough."
The Teamsters previously voted by 97% to strike if there is not a new contract by July 31. “We have repeatedly told UPS that a new contract must be in place by August 1," Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said. "The Teamsters will not work one minute beyond the expiration of our current agreement. UPS did not want to make progress on economics, but they conceded today that they will reach a deal by July 5 because they have no choice.”
"We are encouraged the Teamsters are ready to continue negotiations and discuss our most recent proposal. Productive discussions are critical at this stage of the process. We look forward to the union’s input so we can reach a timely agreement and provide certainty for our employees, our customers and the U.S. economy," UPS emailed in a response to our request for comment.