UPS & Downs: Subcontracting Out Feeder Work

September 28, 2010: Diverting feeder work to nonunion carriers (via Logistics or Supply Chain Solutions) costs jobs and hurts our union: if not stopped it could eventually destroy the feeder department and weaken our union. Here’s one example reported by Local 688 members in St. Louis.

UPS had a large account with a company called Scholastic Books. Recently this feeder work was transferred to Werner, a nonunion truckload carrier. Werner—instead of feeders—now brings the freight into the Earth City (St Louis), Kansas City, Chicago and other hubs for distribution.

As a result feeder jobs are lost. Management’s position on issues like this is “no problem, we let the drivers bid another job” but there are still jobs lost, even if it is by attrition.

It’s time for the International Union to take this issue seriously: require management to hold sufficient feeder schools to get UPSers trained, and crack down on subcontracting to save our jobs and union strength.

Get Advice Join TDU Donate

Recent News

On the Table in UPS Talks: Ending Article 40 Concessions

Eliminating loopholes in Article 40 is on the table in national contract negotiations and UPS Teamsters who work in UPS’s air operations are ready to close the concessions stand for good.

ABF Teamsters Authorize a Strike

ABF Teamsters have voted by 97.73% to authorize a strike. The contract covering 8,000 Teamsters at ABF expires on June 30.

View More News Posts