UPS staff’ union chief explains what’s at stake as strike edges nearer

Staff for UPS are edging nearer to a strike after a breakdown in talks between the supply large and the Teamsters union representing its staff. Either side have accused one another of strolling away from negotiations.

A walkout would have ripple results throughout the whole financial system, with the corporate using 340,000 staff who ship thousands and thousands of packages every single day. The worth of the products it delivers yearly has been estimated at 6% of the U.S. financial system.

UPS staff are negotiating for higher pay and the elimination of a two-tier wage system for part-time and full-time staff. Sean O’Brien, common president of the Worldwide Brotherhood of Teamsters, spoke to “GMA3” about what’s at stake.

DEMARCO MORGAN: Sean, good to see you. Thanks for being with us. So UPS is saying you guys walked away from the desk. You are saying UPS walked away from the desk. What occurred and what’s incorrect?

SEAN O’BRIEN: Effectively, UPS can inform their story. We all know the true story at 4:15 a.m., July 5, once we’re making an attempt to get a deal, we’re very shut, they mentioned that they had no extra to offer and they also really walked away. And that is why we’re right here proper now. We’re making an attempt to make sure that they perceive how essential this battle is for our 340,000 members that delivered items and providers by the hardest occasions we have seen [in the] pandemic.

EVA PILGRIM: What must occur to forestall this?

O’BRIEN: Effectively look, I imply, our part-timers at UPS are working for poverty wages. A few of them are single moms, single dads working loopy hours. And look, all people loves the united statesdrivers, who work extraordinarily exhausting. However these packages don’t get on these vans with out these part-timers. And, , UPS has the chance proper now to do the precise factor, as a result of they’ll set the tone on how it’s to reward their staff who’ve made them the success that they’re. I imply, they made $100 billion with a B, and our members should reap these advantages as effectively.

MORGAN: And talking of half time, Sean, you’ve got referred to as part-time employee wages, part-time poverty. Let us take a look at some numbers. UPS tells us that on common, they pay their drivers $95,000 a 12 months with advantages and part-time staff get $20 an hour with well being care eligibility, pension plans. Why do you name this part-time poverty?

O’BRIEN: As a result of they are not telling the true story. $93,000 for a full-timer is correct, however they’re working 60, 65 hours. It is an especially robust job. And once you discuss in regards to the part-timers, their part-time wage price proper now could be about $16 per hour. UPS is selective. They choose and select on who they’ll pay, what space, they usually can elevate the charges.

We wish to set up a livable beginning wage for part-timers, but in addition make certain we reward these part-timers who work by the pandemic. We misplaced members because of going to work when there have been no vaccinations, no protections. And all of the whereas, backside line of their stability sheet stored rising and rising and rising.

We wish to be rewarded. There was no hazard pay. There wasn’t something aside from these folks, our members, 340,000, offering items and providers to maintain this nation operating.

PILGRIM: And we had been all ordering all of the packages as a result of folks did not wish to exit. UPS issued this assertion saying partly, “The Teamsters have stopped negotiating regardless of historic proposals that construct on our industry-leading pay…refusing to barter, particularly when the end line is in sight, create vital unease amongst staff and clients, and threatens to disrupt the U.S. financial system.”

O’BRIEN: We aren’t refusing to barter. They know what we wish. They know what our members want. And if UPS causes a strike, it is going to be on UPS. I imply, they’ll self-inflict these wounds on themselves. Our members are the most effective within the enterprise. They supply the most effective providers. And it is disgrace on UPS. They’ve a chance proper now to do the precise factor and be the mannequin employer for the whole United States.

MORGAN: Are you able to discuss in regards to the considerations that you’ve got been listening to from a number of the Teamsters themselves?

O’BRIEN: Effectively, I imply, principally it is the wages. I imply, look, UPS is a really tough job. We have made vital progress in negotiations. We have been negotiating since January. However it’s vital wage will increase for the part-timers, however extra importantly, dignity and respect within the office.

PILGRIM: What will get you guys again to the desk? Is there one thing that should occur?

O’BRIEN: UPS simply has to choose up the telephone, inform us they’ll comply with what our backside line is they usually know what our backside line is. We have been very clear in these negotiations, they usually know what must occur.