October 17, 2013: UPS management has a new toy to harass preloaders and write them up for misloads.
In some buildings, preload supervisors have started wearing scanners, entering package cars, and scanning every package in the load.
The scanner flags packages that are not in the truck's EDD. The management tries to blame the loader for the misload.
Part-time supervisors are being told to have a 1,000 scans by the end of each shift. This technology may catch misloads, but more write-ups and harassment won’t prevent them.
Misloads don't happen because of under-supervision or a shortage of discipline.
Misloads happen because Teamsters are loading too many trucks and handling too much volume.
UPS needs to deal with the root cause of the problem instead of blaming workers.
The new contract is supposed to protect members from harassment.
Article 6, Section 4 gives the International Union the right to negotiate over the use of new technology. It's time to invoke that clause.