August 1, 2008: UPS Teamsters got a 35¢ raise on August 1, the smallest raise in many years. Another 35¢ raise will follow in six months, for a total of 70¢ over the next year.

Last August 1, UPS Teamsters received a $1 raise. How much did gas and food cost then, compared to now? The contract also didn’t provide for a cost of living improvement this year, a serious problem when inflation has run at 4.5 percent. For a full-time Teamster, a 35¢ raise is just 1.25 percent, meaning a big loss in real wages.

One group of Teamsters involved with our UPS contract did get taken care of. They are the top union negotiators. James Hoffa received a $12,500 cost of living adjustment on July 1.

Ken Hall’s cost of living adjustment on July 1 was $5,786. That’s a much less bitter pill to swallow than 35¢.