It is worth noting that there might be a big crisis coming your way in the US thanks to negotiations falling apart between the UPS and Teamsters Union which is the largest union of UPS workers in the US. If the talks don’t go through then this will be the largest strike in the US history since the 1950s and a lot of logistics shipments will be delayed due to that reason. Teamsters Union currently has 340,000 full- and part-time drivers, loaders and package handlers from the UPS and says that UPS gave them an “unacceptable offer” and also “did not address members’ needs”.
Teamsters Union’s General President, Sean O’Brien, says that “UPS had a choice to make, and they have clearly chosen to go down the wrong road.” On the other hand, UPS says, “We have not walked away, and the union has a responsibility to remain at the table”. The delivery giant added to the statement saying “Refusing to negotiate, especially when the finish line is in sight, creates significant unease among employees and customers and threatens to disrupt the U.S. economy.” It is worth noting that the labor contract covering the UPS unionized workers ends at the end of this month and employees have already authorized a “work stoppage” if the parties fail to strike a deal.
According to UPS statement, “it delivers the equivalent of about 6% of the nation’s gross domestic product, meaning a work stoppage could lead to frustrations for U.S. consumers and disrupt the many businesses that depend on speedy shipping”. UPS also maintained that its current offer is “historic” and that its drivers are “best-paid in the industry” despite the Teamsters Union saying otherwise. It is worth noting that not everything was right at Teamsters Union as well. It is known that “Workers are unhappy with their current contract, which the union’s former leaders secured on a technicality. Discontent over the contract inspired union members to push out their former leaders and install the group’s current president”. The Union wants more full-time jobs and higher pay for their drivers and also wants UPS to remove the surveillance cameras installed in their trucks.
