TEAMSTERS AUTHORIZE STRIKE AT UPS

Teamsters Vote By 97 Percent to Strike If UPS Fails to Deliver Strong Contract

(WASHINGTON) – UPS Teamsters have voted by an overwhelming 97 percent to authorize a strike, giving the union maximum leverage to win demands at the bargaining table.

The powerful vote allows the UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee to call a strike should UPS fail to come to terms on a strong new contract by July 31, when the union’s current National Master Agreement expires. The Teamsters represent more than 340,000 UPS package delivery drivers and warehouse logistics workers nationwide.

“This vote shows that hundreds of thousands of Teamsters are united and determined to get the best contract in our history at UPS. If this multibillion-dollar corporation fails to deliver on the contract that our hardworking members deserve, UPS will be striking itself,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The strongest leverage our members have is their labor and they are prepared to withhold it to ensure UPS acts accordingly.”

National negotiations between the Teamsters and UPS began April 17. Union representatives and rank-and-file members serve on the national negotiating committee.

The UPS Teamsters National Master Agreement is the largest private-sector contract in North America. Full- and part-time UPS Teamsters are working in lockstep for a new five-year agreement that guarantees higher wages for all workers, more full-time jobs, an end to forced overtime and harassment from management, elimination of a two-tier wage system, and protection from heat and other workplace hazards.

"This strike authorization vote sends a clear message to UPS that our members are damned and determined to take necessary action to secure a historic contract that respects their dedication and sacrifice," said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “Our members are the backbone of UPS, and they are the reason this corporation hauled in more than $100 billion in revenue just last year. It’s time for UPS to pay up."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

UPS & T-Force Freight Members

Sunday, June 11th, 2023 from 1-5pm

Union Hall: 45 Sardis Rd. Asheville, NC 28806

Worksite meetings also being held. Ask your Steward for details!

With the help of the IBT Training & Development Dept., Local 61 hosted a Shop Stewards Training Seminar on April 15th, 2023. 

We had an excellent turnout and want to give all our stewards who took the time out of their Saturday to make it to this event a huge thank you. 

Paul Trujillo (IBT Training & Development), Karen Jones (IBT Historian & Trainer) & James Wright (International VP) were in attendance and taught our stewards an extensive history of the Teamsters Union and how to be an effective Shop Steward. 

We ran a mock AAPGC panel to show our stewards what to expect if they are in attendance. 

We heard a message from our International President, Sean O'Brien, about the importance of solidarity.  President O'Brien updated us all on the UPS/IBT Contract negotiations. 

We also heard a message from MaryBe McMillan, President of the NC State AFL-CIO, who was unable to attend.  MaryBe told our stewards what all the AFL-CIO does for Labor in North Carolina and congratulated Local 61 on recent organizing victories. 

Duncan Baker from Sounds Essential also presented our online grievance filing system that will be available soon to all our Members. 

Thank you to all who attended and helped organize this event.  It was a huge success!

Teamsters Celebrate Women's History Month

Parking lot meetings were held throughout the month of February & into March to inform our UPS Members of important contract updates.  Local 61 President, Mark Greene, informed everyone about our participation in the IBT's 'Contract Unity Pledge.'  Brother Greene met with these Members in Sylva and snapped a couple of photos from that visit.

Brother Greene also visited the UPS Franklin building and had a great show of support from those Members as well.  We apprecaite everyone's willingness to participate in these important upcoming contract negotiations for the 2023-2028 Contract.

On February 18th, Teamsters Local 61 participated in a legislative luncheon hosted by the WNC Central Labor Council.  NC AFL-CIO President Marybe McMillan outlined the goals for workers in our state.  Four (4) NC Legislators spoke at this event along with a Buncombe County Commissioner and an Asheville City Council Member.   

From left to right:

Tyler Murphy (UPS Shop Steward)

Brian Ball (Secretary-Treasurer)

Albert Arguelles (UPS Shop Steward)

& Kim Rhoney (Asheville City Council)

Julie Mayfield (NC Senator, Buncombe County)

Our Voice, an Asheville non-profit organization, recently voted to unionize.  These new members are working closely with Local 61 to get their very first contract negotiated.  Thank you to Our Voice members for your participation during these negotiations.  Everyone deserves a voice in their workplace!

Green Sage, a local cafe and restaurant, held a rally in Downtown Asheville on February 14th.  Along with their supporters, they raised awareness about to their right to organize their workplace.  Local 61 has filed a petition with the NLRB to hold a union election between Local 61 and Green Sage South employees.  We are currently waiting for the date to be set to hold this election.  Stay tuned for updates.

Click here for the WLOS News 13 Article

(Photo Credits to WLOS News 13 Staff)

H.R. 471 Threatens Worker and Motorist Safety

(WASHINGTON) – Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien sent letters to members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee urging them to oppose H.R. 471, the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act. The legislation, introduced by Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), would jeopardize the safety of workers, motorists and any American that uses an interstate highway – all while doing nothing to address the root causes of our nation’s supply chain woes.

“Supply chain challenges and bottle necks over the last few years have laid bare a number of critical issues in the trucking industry, including the prevalence of poor working conditions, rampant and illegal misclassification of drivers under labor law, and the scourge of fly-by-night contracted and subcontracted motor carriers,” O’Brien said in his letter to the U.S. House of Representatives. “H.R. 471 looks to wrong and dangerous short-term ‘solutions’ to the very real legal and economic issues present in commercial trucking.”

The SHIP IT Act would allow for the introduction of heavier, more dangerous trucks on the road that are prone to more frequent and more severe crashes. It would also grant the Secretary of Transportation unjustifiable authority on size and weight requirements and gut fatigue protections for drivers carrying agricultural goods.

“The International Brotherhood of Teamsters welcomes important conversations about improving the trucking industry – for both drivers and the American consumer,” O’Brien said. “However, H.R. 471 is simply an anti-safety bill in sheep’s clothing.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

https://teamster.org/2023/02/teamsters-oppose-ship-it-act/