Teamsters are preparing for what could be the nation's largest strike in decades

[turbinetree]

280,000 UPS employees represented by the Teamsters union may go on strike this summer.

REBEKAH ENTRALGO JUN 6, 2018, 1:21 PM

The Teamsters union represents the 280,000 UPS employees who voted overwhelmingly in favor of going on strike if a deal is not reached before the current labor contract expires on August 1. More than 90 percent voted for a strike.

Issuing a strike authorization vote does not necessarily mean UPS workers will order a work stoppage, but it does give the union leverage over management to win their negotiations.

Since UPS began offering regular Saturday delivery service just a year ago, labor demands have increased. While the company hasn’t announced plans for Sunday service, the union claims UPS has made several proposals to expand weekend deliveries.

Both sides have reached tentative agreements on non-economic related issues and have only begun discussions on healthcare and raises. According to CNN, one proposal would create a two-tier wage system that would allow part-time workers currently making $15 an hour to be paid the same wage as a full-time employee. Full-time drivers now earn more than double what part-time employees earn at $36 an hour, or roughly $75,000 a year. The union is divided on the two-tier wage proposal.

https://thinkprogress.org/teamsters-are-preparing-to-strike-723d834c25b3/

Let me say I am not a fan of two tier pay systems...................all it does is undermine a Union and the by-laws.

The biggest threat to UPS is Amazon.....................

[MichMan]

1. Doesn't make any sense

Sounds like they already have a two tier wage system if part timers currently make $15 per hour .

"According to CNN, one proposal would create a two-tier wage system that would allow part-time workers currently making $15 an hour to be paid the same wage as a full-time employee. Full-time drivers now earn more than double what part-time employees earn at $36 an hour, or roughly $75,000 a year. The union is divided on the two-tier wage proposal. "

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Appears the Health and Welfare part of the Contract

is of main concern. Guarantee Payments to their Pensions. Major cost adjustments to the Health Insurance Premiums . BTW,UPS does deliver on Sundays. Special Rates for this type of service. They use their Part timers for the most part or workers on light duty restrictions.

Amazon can not handle all their freight,part timer half hind end delivery people will not cut it. They are losing their collective butts with the increase in Gas Prices as well as Auto Insurance.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. I read Fed Ex is a much better employer.

[teamster633]

4. We essentially have a two tier system now compared to how it was when I started...

...which is to say, there was only a two dollar an hour difference between a full-time driver and a PM part-time employee. An AM part-time employee got a dollar an hour bonus for starting work at 3:00 in the morning and therefore made just a dollar an hour less than the prevailing wage. By all rights it should have remained that way. The part-timer's job is no less demanding than the full timer's; he/she just works fewer hours. The downward spiral began in the late eighties and has continued to this day. First they allowed different rates for part-time vs. full-time. Wage progressions were extended. A quasi-third tier was created when they introduced an air driver classification. If they allow this to stand, I'd question the point in having a union in the first place, and I say this as someone who joined the Teamsters 3 weeks after I turned eighteen and remained in good standing until I retired. I hope my brothers and sisters stand firm against this, lord knows Hoffa Jr. isn't likely to...Ron Carey he's not...

[Adrahil]

5. Multi-tier is a HUGE problem in academia.

Adjuncts are often paid only $2000-$2500 a class. With a 5/5 load and summer classes , they are lucky to make $30,000 no benefits and a crushing workload.

Full time faculty makes double that with a light workload, with benefits, which is still not stellar given the level of education required.