During a hard-fought day at the bargaining table, the #Teamsters reached [a] tentative agreement with @UPS on three major economic issues, the union announced on Twitter. “Tearing down the 22.4 two-tier wage system, establishing Martin Luther King Day as a full holiday for the first time, and ending forced overtime on drivers’ days off.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and United Parcel Service (UPS) reached a tentative deal that could put an end to the dual-wage system for delivery drivers in their next contract, potentially reducing the likelihood of a nationwide strike as negotiations progress.
Last week, the Teamsters postponed plans for a strike and returned to the negotiating table after UPS presented a counterproposal regarding compensation and benefits before the current contract expires on July 31.
“The extraordinary gains, each of which have been key issues for #Teamsters throughout the yearlong contract campaign, came on the heels of an aggressive public warning from the Teamsters National Negotiating Committee that @UPS was running out of time to get a deal,” the Teamsters union stated on Saturday.
However, the union’s general president, Sean M. O’Brien, emphasized that there is still work to be done in order to secure a new contract by August 1.
“But make no mistake—we are not done. @UPS knows we must reach full agreement on other economic issues, including higher wages, within the next few days,” O’Brien said. Negotiations are scheduled to continue on Sunday in Washington, as stated in the union’s update.
While significant progress has been made at the bargaining table, the union, which represents over 300,000 workers, announced on Sunday that they will continue practice picketing actions to maintain pressure on UPS.
“#Teamsters are continuing to exert enormous pressure on @UPS to concede to the demands of the hardworking members who make the company its multibillion-dollar profits. And no one can doubt UPS Teamsters are ready to #strike if the delivery giant fails to meet those demands,” the union stated.
{Matzav.com}
