On November 17, a first contract covering more than 750 UPS Freight drivers and dockworkers nationwide was ratified by a margin of 94 percent. The agreement improves wages, benefits and working conditions.
“I am proud to welcome these UPS Freight workers to the Teamsters Union,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “These workers now have a terrific Teamster-negotiated contract that guarantees them job security and many other benefits. These workers deserve to be rewarded for the great work they do every day.”
“With this latest vote the Teamsters now represent almost 99 percent of the UPS Freight workers eligible under our card-check and neutrality agreement,” said Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall. “UPS Freight workers nationwide have shown true Teamster spirit by sticking together to form their union and gain a great contract.”
Workers at five terminals in four states voted: Arkansas, Iowa, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The Locals involved in the Nov. 17 vote were Local 90 in Des Moines, Iowa; Local 776 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Local 384 in Norristown, Pennsylvania; Local 832 in Joplin, Missouri; and Local 962 in Central Point, Oregon.
“These UPS Freight employees have taken a unanimous step forward and were able to stand up for the improvement of their jobs and the future of their families and our Union has become stronger for their efforts,” said Claudia Pettit, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 90.
“Our workers absolutely wanted to become Teamsters and stuck together as a group,” said Michael Bonaduce, President of Local 384. “Their main concern was a guaranteed 8-hour workday, better working conditions and better relations between the employees and management.”
“Without a contract, our workers were at the company’s mercy,” said Jim McCall, President of Local 823. “Now they have a great union-negotiated contract that provides them with better wages, health benefits and job security.”
“Health and welfare issues and retiree coverage were the most pressing concerns for the workers we represent and all those issues are addressed in the contract,” said Dan W. Ratty, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 962.
Ron Hicks, the UPS Freight Business Agent from Local 776, said workers at the Mechanicsburg terminal were glad to see the issue of subcontracting addressed in the contract.
The contract expires on July 31, 2013. Among the contract’s highlights:
• Wage increases totaling $4.35 per hour or nearly 11 cents a mile over the contract.
• An improved health care plan with lower employee premium costs with no increases in costs to employees over the life of the contract.
• Overtime pay for work exceeding 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week.
• UPS Freight employees lock in their current pension benefits.
• The cost of retiree health insurance for most retirees is reduced substantially with no increase in premium cost to employees over the life of the contract.
This latest vote brings to a close a year’s worth of organizing throughout the country. The Teamsters now represent more than 12,600 UPS Freight workers in 42 states. In April, a new UPS Freight contract covering 9,900 workers was ratified by an 89 percent margin. In August, a second group of terminals voted and ratified an agreement by a 94 percent margin.
These efforts built upon the success of organizing and negotiating a model agreement for the 125 drivers and dockworkers at Local 135 in Indianapolis in 2007.
As the year comes to a close the Teamsters are looking forward to building upon this organizing success, Hall said.
“We have fought hard on behalf of UPS Freight workers and we have been ramping up our efforts with FedEx workers at all FedEx units – FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight,” Hall said. “The Teamsters and FedEx workers see there is a real opportunity for organizing.”
