There’s a story that isn’t getting the attention it warrants, considering it will affect you, me, and most likely everyone you know who orders items on Amazon. UPS and their 340,000 employees who are members of the Teamster’s Union are staging last-minute negotiations to hopefully ward off a strike that would occur when their current contract ends on July 31 if they don’t have a new deal in place.
Talks are picking up after they broke down on July 5, and the stakes could not be higher. The Teamsters are ready, willing, and eager to shut the supply chain down on August 1 if they don’t get a contract they feel is fair. UPS is undoubtedly feeling the heat and now seems almost desperate to ensure they avoid a walkout.
“We are prepared to increase our industry-leading pay and benefits, but need to work quickly to finalize a fair deal that provides certainty for our customers, our employees, and businesses across the country.” That was part of a statement released by Glenn Zachary, the VP of Communication for UPS.
Here are some realities of what would happen if UPS workers went on strike. For one thing, it would probably be the largest single-employer strike ever. And on the economic side, experts have predicted the losses would be staggering, more than $7 billion in 10 days.
The two sides have made progress on many of the issues they were haggling over, but one of the final hurdles involves pay for part-time employees. Right now, those workers average $20 per hour after their first 30 days on the job, and they also receive health benefits just like full-time workers. Before that 30-day probation period, the minimum starting wage is $16.20 per hour, which the union said is far below the poverty level in many parts of the country.
Which side will blink first? Probably not the Teamsters Union, as they felt the previous collective bargaining agreement they signed favored UPS, and employees are pretty emphatic that they will not hesitate to hand out picket signs starting at midnight on August 1.
UPS said it will begin training nonunion employees in the U.S. to step in should there be a strike. As for the packages you order on Amazon post August 1? Stay tuned!
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