May 23, 2013: In 2007 the UPS contract passed with 65% of the vote with about 70,000 votes cast. Approximately 11,000 vote switches from Yes to No would have tipped the outcome.

It is interesting to look at the vote in the supplemental areas and local unions. The vote varied widely by local union – and no doubt will again. In locals where TDUers and other reformers were active, the turnout was higher, and it was sometimes rejected. Just one example: in the Central Region the Supplement passed with 67% yes, but it was easily rejected in St Louis 688, Cincinnati Local 100 and Kansas City Local 41.

Where members are passing out leaflets, wearing T-Shirts, reaching other nearby buildings, and building a network of activists working together, the difference shows up in the vote for that local.

You can access the 2007 local-by-local vote and the vote on each supplement here.

Some of the big Yes votes in 2007 came from Louisville Local 89, Los Angeles Local 396 and Philadelphia Local 623. Those may be rather different this time.

Three large supplements in the east were rejected: Central Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania and New York Local 804. The rejections were close in Central Pa and Western Pa, and after minor changes, the supplements were accepted on a second vote. New York had major TDU and rank and file activity, and the supplement was rejected by 3-1, resulting in big changes and in saving 25-and-out pensions.

Very importantly, those New York Local 804 activists went on to win leadership in the local, restoring the “home of Ron Carey” and just won a much better supplement in this bargaining round.

You can review details on our rights and FAQs on how the contract votes works here.

The lessons here are about organizing a rank and file force, and a long-term approach. If you are interested in being part of that movement, a good step is to join TDU and get in touch with and learn from activists and leaders working toward the same goals.