UPS strike in the US avoided as union ratifies deal

UPS’ dispute with US-based labour union the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters) appears to have come to an end as a deal has been ratified, avoiding a potential nationwide strike.

In July, Logistics Manager reported that the company was facing its first strike since 1997 as negotiations with Teamsters over pay and benefits broke down. Shortly afterwards, talks re-opened and a deal has now been ratified by the union’s members.

Voted by a 86.3% majority, the new deal includes a wage increase of US$2.75 per hour for existing full- and part-time workers, new air conditioning standards for delivery vehicles, and a full holiday for staff on Martin Luther King Day.

Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien responded positively to the news, saying: “Our members just ratified the most lucrative agreement the Teamsters have ever negotiated at UPS. This contract will improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers.”

“Teamsters have set a new standard and raised the bar for pay, benefits, and working conditions in the package delivery industry. This is the template for how workers should be paid and protected nationwide, and non-union companies like Amazon better pay attention.”

Speaking on negotiations, UPS Chief Executive Carol Tomé, added: “Together we reached a win-win-win agreement on the issues that are important to Teamsters leadership, our employees, and to UPS and our customers.

“This agreement continues to reward UPS’s full- and part-time employees with industry-leading pay and benefits while retaining the flexibility we need to stay competitive, serve our customers, and keep our business strong.”

Teamsters represents over 340,000 UPS employees in the US.

Source: logisticsmanager.com