Members Prepare as Contracts Come to a Head

August 23, 2007: Teamster employers are on the offensive, attacking our master contracts. Their goal is to win givebacks that will strip away historic gains, threaten our pensions and weaken our union.

Concerned Teamsters are responding to the warning signs that the Hoffa administration is going along with the employers.

Rank & File Action Beats Givebacks

When Teamsters at DHL learned that the Hoffa administration was negotiating a concessionary contract, angry members sprung into action.

Across the country, DHL Teamsters mobilized to flood the International with petitions, postcards and phone calls. Their united action forced the Hoffa administration to scrap its concessionary deal and instruct local unions to hold contract proposal meetings.

The fight at DHL is far from over. But Teamsters there have shown we can defeat givebacks when we work together.

That’s a lesson other Teamsters are taking to heart as secret negotiations come to a head on a new UPS contract and the future of the Central States Pension Plan.

Hoffa and chief negotiator Ken Hall announced that UPS has reached a tentative agreement with Central States that could pave the way for the company’s withdrawal from the pension fund.

Industry experts watching the UPS talks say that Central States assets and members’ pension benefits are on the rise and a pullout by UPS will undermine members’ retirement security as well as Teamster power.

Teamsters at UPS need to be prepared to evaluate any offer carefully.

The Make UPS Deliver network and TDU will get UPS members the facts so they can make an informed decision.

Fight for Your Future

Freight talks may begin as soon as October. Freight wages have fallen measured against inflation, and members are building a network to fight for overdue gains.

Contract talks are coming to a head that will forever shape the master contracts and pension plans that are the foundation of union power. Fight for your future.

For more information, contact TDU today.

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