Five Things the IBT Can Do to Fix the UPS Contract Disaster

Denis Taylor has repeatedly promised local unions and members that he will return to the bargaining table with UPS. But no date has been set. Here are 5 things the IBT can do fix the disaster at UPS. They will only happen if UPSers keep the pressure on.

1. Stop Any Ratification of the Agreement

Taylor's claim that the Constitution requires the contract to be ratified is just made up.

No national contract has ever been ratified after a majority of voting members Voted No since the current two-thirds rule went into effect in 1987.  

In 2013, ten UPS supplements were renegotiated and re-voted after they were rejected by less than a 2/3 vote. 

Taylor's betrayal of UPSers is giving the entire labor movement a black eye. Any move toward ratifying the agreement should be halted before more damage is done. 

2. Hold a General Executive Board Meeting

Seven International Vice Presidents have called for a General Executive Board meeting. Only three Vice Presidents whose local unions represent UPSers have not.   

3. Set Up Contract Talks with UPS

Denis Taylor and the IBT issued statements on October 5, 11, and October 17 promising that he would set up contract talks with UPS. It’s time to do it—and members’ issues should be put on the table.

UPSers should get a vote on the revised contract offer that comes out of these talks.  

4. Use the Leverage Created by the Contracts that are Still Open

Taylor has repeatedly said the UPS National Contract is not ratified until all of the supplements are completed. Ten supplements were rejected. In many of them a majority of members voted.  NY Local 804 was rejected by 95%

The UPS Freight agreement is also open. So is the separate UPS contract covering 8,500 members in Chicago Local 705. 

All this gives the IBT bargaining leverage over UPS if we make them use it.

5. Support Chicago Local 705 

UPSers in Chicago are covered by Local 705's contract with UPS which is entirely separate from the National Master Agreement. 

Local 705 held a meeting of all UPS stewards to consider taking a strike vote if UPS doesn't change its attitude at the negotiating table. 

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