UPS Teamsters Union Employees Vote in Favor of Strike Action

June 16, 2023: UPS Teamsters union employees have voted in favor of strike action. This means that if UPS and the Teamsters, who represent the workers, reach an agreement by July 31, their contract will remain the same.

After months of negotiations, the two sides have made some progress. They recently reached a tentative deal on one issue: heat safety for the company’s vehicle fleet. This agreement includes air conditioning systems, heat shields, and fans. It’s a win for the Teamsters and a positive step for UPS, showing their commitment to employee safety.

The heat safety measures are expected to take effect on January 1, 2024, and will impact around 95% of UPS’s package delivery fleet in the United States. This is a significant development that improves working conditions for UPS workers.

In addition to the heat safety agreement, the local Teamsters union in Louisville took action. Members of Teamsters Local 89 at UPS voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike. This vote doesn’t mean a strike is imminent, but it puts pressure on UPS and shows the union’s willingness to strike if negotiations don’t meet their demands.

So, what does all of this mean for you? If you rely on UPS for deliveries, there could be potential disruptions if a strike happens. The last time UPS Teamsters went on strike was in 1997, and it significantly impacted package deliveries nationwide. With the current decline in package volume and the importance of the logistics industry, a strike could have even more severe consequences this time. You may experience slower delivery times, higher prices on products and shipping, and further strain on the supply chain.

However, UPS and the Teamsters hope an agreement will be reached before the contract expires. If an agreement isn’t reached, the union has three choices:

• Accept management proposals.
• Extend the contract expiration date by mutual understanding.
• Declare an impasse, allowing UPS to implement its final offer, potentially leading to a strike.

The negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters are significant because they involve many workers and can impact the functioning of the logistics industry. Stay informed about any developments as the contract expiration date approaches.