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.
Frank
I’m retired UAW GM, it looks like if you aren’t competitive with the other companies providing the same service, you should be, but if you think the “fat cats” are getting richer and you poorer, do what they do…BUY STOCK…or have the company give you bonuses in UPS STOCK…if they grow,you grow…$$$$$
Paul Jones
35 year at UPS as a Teamster. Never saw a strike that got enough to pay for the lost income snd it usually only benefited the Union.
Paul Kelly
The Teamsters need to take a hard look at UPS wages AND Benefits compared to the competition.. Fedex, and Amazon… Everybody pays the same for fuel, trucks, buildings, etc… but when wages are out of line with your competitors… they can offer a similar service, for less money… do the math….those of us that remember the 97 strike… the drivers were out of work and eventually settled for what the Company offered BEFORE the strike… Nobody wins in a strike, and a lot of business lost because of a strike, won’t come back… fewer jobs.
Barry
This will not end well for either side! The 97 strike the Teamsters had leverage and little to lose! Customer packages and freight were left sitting on docks or in other cases thrown in the trash. 25 years of other companies expanding their capacity and same abilities will hurt both sides in this negotiation!
Scott
@d, It’s a shame the actual workers aren’t involved in the negotiations. Invite 5 teamsters including full and part timers to share their concerns. Ask the people who struggle everyday.
Put Carol Tome in the hot seat. Ask her who embezzled our hazard pay? Where did the money go that the government gave them? Did they use our Covid money for their stock buyback? She is talking out of both sides of her mouth. We’re not greedy but if she gets 19 million and 23 million in salary and bonuses then we deserve a little more too. And she has never touched a dirty leaking package or driven a package car. David Abney did. She is not qualified to tell me what I need if you’ve never walked a mile in our shoes.
Ernie
I was there in 97 strike and recently retired I believe is not good for either side and seen the volume loss in resent months but union has not gave employees anything to go on and I think the of 97% Authorization to strike is a forest. The numbers are over inflated.
d
Nobody told the teamsters leaders that nobody gets 100% of what they want in negotiations.
Somehow they think they are exempt from this, asking for pie in the sky not as a starting point, but the actual end goal and then walking out when some give is asked back after nothing but take.
it was 4am, my money is on they both left and then both blamed each other.
There are legits beefs and so far legit wins in this contract. Members generally dont want to strike, they just want a fair shake and good raises. 22.4’s gone, and 9.5 enforcement strengthened.
They dont want to strangle the cash cow, they just want more of a share of the milk it makes.
Could somebody tell the negotiation committee this?
Charles Wisilosky
It’s so sad to see on both ends of the spectrum. The greed from both sides is stupid. Many people would give their left nut for an income like the drivers get. And for the company, corporate greed is alive and well. O’Brien could care less about you drivers. Remember, while you’re suffering day to day with no income. he’ll be sitting at home bringing in his healthy unearned paycheck and not offer a dime to you.