July 2, 2009: Do you think Hoffa will be working on Friday, July 3? Too many Teamsters will—and without premium pay.

The postal service, government offices and thousands of businesses will observe Friday, July 3 as a holiday. But not UPS, the biggest Teamster employer and largest union contract in the country.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

UPS needs a limited number of workers to make air deliveries, but could easily recruit volunteers to work Friday, at premium pay. Instead, most members will be working for straight time; the others have to scramble to get the day off to have a three day weekend.

Some areas report UPS will not respect seniority when assigning who gets to take the day off without pay.

Freight and carhaul Teamsters won’t get premium pay for working on July 3 either. UPS Freight will recognize July 3 as the holiday. Our national master contracts should set the pace. Our union should stand for protecting our time with family, not giving it away.

It’s time to tighten up this language and insist Teamster leaders enforce it.