August 4, 2013: In the 1990s Teamsters stood up to UPS, and won. August 4 makes the anniversary of the start of the victorious UPS strike — a lesson in rank and file power.

On August 4, 1997, UPS Teamsters hit the streets at UPS. The '97 strike at UPS won the labor movement's biggest victory in decades.

UPS hasn't changed much since 1997, but our Teamsters Union has.

In 1997, UPS was making big profits. Today, UPS's profits are bigger than ever: $4.5 billion last year alone.

In 1997, UPS attacked our pension benefits. Today, UPS is targeting our healthcare and retiree healthcare.

In 1997, UPS fought full-time job creation. Today it's more of the same.

Our International Union once stood up to UPS and 1997 was the best example. The IBT didn't deal with the company behind closed doors. Members were informed and involved and our union took our case to the public.

Our International Union didn't try to force members to take the company's "last, best and final offer." They made the company eat those words and put a better contract on the table.

The short video America's Victory: The 1997 UPS Strike tells the story and shows what Teamster Power looks like. We had it before and we can have it again. Help make it happen. Join TDU today.

Rank and File Power at UPS

Learn the history of rank-and-file power at UPS and help make it happen.  Every UPS Teamster that joins TDU will receive free copy of Rank and File Power at UPS.