February 21, 2008: UPS has wrapped up a new national contract—but the company’s contract headaches may just be beginning.

This week, Chicago Local 705 kicked off a contract campaign with T-shirts that tell UPS management: “8/1, We’re Done!” August 1 is the day after the Local 705 contract expires with UPS.

The Local 705 contract is independent of the national agreement and covers thousands of UPS Teamsters in the Chicago area.

“Members are determined to improve the contract. If push comes to shove, we’re ready to do what we need to do,” said Mark Day, a package car shop steward out of the Northbrook building. “That’s the message we’re sending with these T-shirts.”

Local 710 Teamsters are also covered by a local contract with UPS that is separate from the national agreement. The Local 710 contract covers UPSers in the rest of Illinois, much of Indiana and Davenport, Iowa.