UPS worker strike possible, driver speaks out

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The possibility of a strike by unionized UPS workers is on the horizon.

“No one wants to go on strike, it’s always the core of last resort,” says Joshua Graham, a UPS driver and shop steward based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Friday, it was announced that 97%, nearly 340,000, of unionized UPS workers across the country voted ‘Yes’ to authorize a strike.  

Now, hundreds of thousands of drivers could stop deliveries if a deal can't be reached.   

“You guys make billions of dollars and now it’s time to negotiate a fair contract in good faith with the workers who allowed you to make and create so much wealth,” Graham says. 

The Teamsters union representing UPS workers says one of the terms they are fighting for was addressed Tuesday when UPS agreed to equip trucks with air conditioning.  

Other issues like excessive overtime and part-time pay which starts at only $13 an hour are still unresolved. 

“Those people that work part-time that generate so much revenue for this billion dollar company to be paid so little was something that needed to be changed immediately,” says Graham. 

Since last Friday, shop stewards like Graham have been speaking with UPS employees about the potential strike, informing workers across the country about the stakes. 

“It’s really just to continue to build unity in our work place and our work groups by sharing this message that we’re stronger together,” explains Graham. 

UPS told ABC57 in a statement: 

 ‘. . . Regardless of the vote result, the Teamsters cannot legally call a strike while the current national master agreement is in effect through July 31st. We respect this step in the process and continue to make progress towards a win-win-win agreement.’  

The Teamsters say it’s the company putting themself on strike if they don’t oblige with the contractual terms they are fighting for.  

“UPS is not going to fulfill their obligation and give us the contract that we feel we deserve, then they’re gonna put themselves on strike,” Graham says. 

The current contract ends July 31st, so it's not yet impacting operations at UPS.