The concerning UPS strike threat was averted after a new labor deal was ratified by the labor union, Teamsters. This agreement will benefit 340,000 UPS employees for five years.
UPS Strike Threat Avoided, Thanks to New Labor Agreement
A United Parcel Service (UPS) driver sits in his delivery truck on January 31, 2023, in San Francisco, California. UPS reported fourth-quarter earnings with full-year guidance that fell short of analysts' expectations of $99.9 billion compared with projected income between $97 billion and $99.4 billion.
The national master agreement between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (a U.S.-based labor union) and the United Parcel Service was ratified by UPS workers.
The Oklahoma City Free Press reported that the deal passed with 86% of the vote. The Southern supplement, which includes Oklahoma, also passed with 85% of the vote.
Via NBC News, Teamsters President Sean O'Brien said that the new contract will make the lives of UPS workers better.
"Teamsters have set a new standard and raised the bar for pay, benefits, and working conditions in the package delivery industry," he added.
O'Brien further stated that the new agreement will be the basis for how UPS workers should be protected and paid across the United States.
Before the national master agreement was ratified, many analysts and other experts said that if UPS workers continued their strike, it would have a major impact on the U.S. economy.
Widespread disruptions will happen since deliveries will be halted. Even rivals of UPS will not be able to cover the discontinued deliveries.
UPS-Teamsters Agreement's Other Details
United Parcel Services (UPS) workers walk a 'practice picket line' on July 7, 2023, in the Queens borough of New York City, ahead of a possible UPS strike. UPS workers could go on strike by the end of July after the Teamsters Union, representing more than 300,000 UPS drivers and warehouse workers, announced on July 5, that labor talks with the shipping giant broke down.
The national master agreement is a five-year contract that will reward and protect over 340,000 UPS workers nationwide.
Among the benefits they can receive are salary increases for full-time and part-time roles, the creation of more full-time jobs, as well as securing workplace protections.
Prof. Seth Harris, a law and policy teacher at Northeastern University, said that the new national master agreement is a very effective tool for Teamsters and other similar labor unions.
"Truck drivers, warehouse workers, and others are going to look at this contract and say: 'I want my pay to go up,'" said Prof. Harris.
He added that these employees will start wanting to receive protection from heat hazards, to be treated fairly, and other things they deserve.
If you want to learn more about the importance of the new UPS-Teamsters deal, you can click here.
Related Article: US-Based Amazon Employees Receive Return-to-Office Warning; Staff Now Forced to Offices?
