March 25, 2008

(Washington, D.C.) – The tentative UPS Freight Agreement was unanimously recommended at the national two-person meeting today by representatives from locals that have submitted cards from UPS Freight workers to join the Teamsters. The agreement will be voted on between now and April 6th in union halls nationwide by UPS Freight members.

Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall went over the contract in detail during the meeting. Afterward, several union leaders praised Hall and other IBT officials for crafting a plan that facilitated the process of signing up 9,600 UPS Freight workers in 90 days. There are 12,600 UPS Freight workers eligible to become Teamsters.

During his address to the crowd, General President Jim Hoffa remarked on the large number of UPS Freight workers who had signed cards since Jan. 16th.

“90 days, 9,600 new members. That is an historic and defining moment for the Teamsters,” Hoffa said. “This is the Teamster way of providing job protection and good benefits for workers.”

“I came out of freight, and I have spent a lifetime representing freight workers,” said General Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel. “This is a real break-through in this industry. This victory demonstrates to other non-union workers the value of a contract in the freight industry.”

Hall said the number of members currently signed has far exceeded his expectations.

“This is the best example I have seen of this entire union working together,” Hall said. “Our local unions have absolutely done an incredible job of going out and signing up these people.”

The contract covers workers in dozens of local unions, and will go into effect once the UPS workers ratify it. The agreement will be in effect until July 31, 2013.

Gary Witlen, Director of the IBT’s Legal Department, explained to the local union leaders how the vote must be conducted.