Monday, July 17, marked two weeks out from the deadline for a deal on a new contract to be reached between UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the union representing 340,000 of the company’s workers, before a potential strike may happen. Before contract talks broke down, both sides had reached tentative agreements on installing air conditioning in more trucks and getting rid of a two-tier wage system for drivers who work weekends and earn less money.
A sticking point in negotiations is wage increases for part-time workers who currently make a minimum of $16.20 an hour. The Teamsters have threatened to strike if a deal isn’t reached by the end of July, and now both sides are preparing for that possibility.
Speaking on a webcast over the weekend, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien was asked if the White House could force a contract on the union. O’Brien said he has asked the White House on numerous occasions to stay away from this labor dispute.
In late 2022, President Biden squashed a potential rail worker strike by signing a law making it illegal. This happened despite Biden stating his intentions to be the most pro-union president in American history.
According to Straight Arrow News’ exclusive Media Miss tool, this story is mostly being covered on the left and from the center. Only two sources covering it lean right.
UPS has begun preparing for a potential Teamsters union strike as well. The company said it will start training non-union employees in order to make sure deliveries of goods and medications are not impacted by a strike. Half of UPS’ workforce are Teamsters union members.
