March 15, 2013: UPS is making record profits in a tough economy by using technology, harassment and excessive overtime to pile more work on drivers.

Hoffa and Ken Hall kicked off bargaining by saying there would be no agreement unless UPS addresses this production harassment. But they have kept a strict information Brownout on what protections we're actually fighting for.

UPS Teamsters need to carefully review any proposed new contract and judge for themselves if it includes the protections we need to fight harassment and excessive overtime.

Strengthen 9.5 Rights

The 9.5 language only works if drivers are free to go on the list without retaliation and management has to address violations by adjusting drivers' loads. Penalty pay is not enough.

The number one way to stop exploding stop counts and 11-hour days is to make UPS hire enough drivers to cover the work.

So far, Hall has only talked about vague contract language that would allow drivers to file a grievance if UPS does not "maintain a sufficient workforce."

This is modeled on the language that is supposed to stop supervisors working and we all know how toothless that is.

UPS promised two years ago to address over-dispatch by hiring more drivers. It's time to get that agreement in writing.

The contract needs clear triggers that make UPS create package jobs in centers with repeated 9.5 violations.

Penalties for Harassment & Retaliation

Hoffa and Hall have promised new language that protects members from threats or retaliation for going on the 9.5 list, reporting an injury, and going on comp.

To work, these protections need to be backed up with penalties that make management pay a price for violations. Otherwise, the language will be as unenforceable as the "respect and dignity" clause.

Protect Members from Technology

In the last contract, Hoffa and Hall gave UPS the right to terminate members using only information for technology in cases of "dishonesty." UPS has abused the loophole. It's time to close it.

Article 6, Section 6 should ban all discipline that is based solely on information from technology: GPS, Telematics, ORION, IVIS or any successor system.

Don't Be Fooled Again

This year's contract negotiations is not the first time Ken Hall has talked tough on production harassment.

During the last International Union election, Hall organized a national sticker day against Unfair Production Standards.

Afterwards, Hall held a conference call for UPS shop stewards and announced that UPS management had agreed to curb production harassment, stop assigning supervisors to ride with drivers who file 9.5 grievances, and to review their dispatch records and hire more drivers to match the number of drivers employed when volume was previously at this level.

"We told UPS we are not going to tolerate harassment of our members. You can't use the economy as an excuse," Hall told stewards.

UPS management's assurances—and Hall's tough talk—turned out to be empty promises.

The contract is our chance to get enforceable harassment protections in writing. Don't be fooled again.

February 20, 2013: Ken Hall and the International Union have dug in and said NO to members paying toward our healthcare premiums. Find out where we stand on other key contract issues.

Technology / Dishonesty

The company has dug in at the bargaining table on "dishonesty."

UPS wants to preserve the loophole in Article 6 that enabled management to terminate drivers for "dishonesty" based solely on information from technology. Ken Hall says UPS is abusing the language.

The International Union and the company are at a stand off on the issue. Who will blink first?

Harassment / 9.5 Language

Production harassment is a signature issue of the negotiations. Volume is growing but full-time driving jobs are not. UPS is just piling more work on us.

The International Union has negotiated language that says the company will "maintain a sufficient workforce." Unresolved grievances could be taken to arbitration.

This is a positive step but too vague to protect drivers from exploding stop counts, nonstop harassment and excessive hours.

Compare this proposal with the existing Article 22.3 language which requires the company in black-and-white to maintain all full-time combo jobs created under the 1997 and 2002 contracts.

This language is much stronger—and is backed up by a 22.3 arbitration victory we won after the strike.

But UPS has gotten away with eliminating thousands of 22.3 full-time jobs. The violation has gone on for years. While some 22.3 vacancies have been filled; UPS has not filled anywhere near the 20,000 positions required by the contract.

The lesson is clear: package car drivers need clear language, stiff penalties and strong enforcement mechanisms to make UPS create more package jobs or the company will violate the contract and the harassment and excessive loads will continue.

SurePost

The Union reportedly has agreement on three restrictions on SurePost:

1. Packages can be no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches.
2. SurePost can only be offered to get new business or to keep existing business from leaving.
3. If other carriers like FedEx end their version of SurePost service than UPS must do the same.

The Union's opening contract proposals also called for "a program to ensure that where package car drivers are delivering ground packages at the same address or to nearby addresses of SurePost packages, bargaining unit members will deliver the packages instead of the Post Office." (Article 26, New Section 4)

But the company had already started introducing this service—SurePost Redirect—for the purpose of making more profits, not protecting Teamsters.

Part-Time Wages

The Company has proposed eliminating the $1 per hour premium for preloaders. That's not the kind of change in pay that part-timers have in mind.

Ken Hall has promised to negotiate an increase in starting wages for part-timers. What's less clear is what the IBT has in mind for existing part-timers.

In 1997, starting pay for part-timers was increased by 50¢ an hour and every part-timer got an extra $1 "catch-up" increase, on top of the other contractual raises, to narrow the pay gap between part-time and full-time pay.

Sixteen years later, part-time starting wages are at an all-time low and the wage gap is bigger than ever. Members need and expect significant increases in starting pay and catch-up increases.

More To Come

These are just a few of the main contract issues. The International Union has not put any economic issues on the table. Pensions, wage increases and new full-time jobs have yet to be discussed.

And other key language issues remain to be dealt with, including subcontracting where the International Union is bargaining the issue simultaneously for UPS, UPS Freight and UPS CSI.

The International Union has done a good job informing members about the company's demands that we pay for healthcare and the Union's clear stand on the issue. As a result, members are energized and united.

It's time for the IBT to lift the Brownout so members know what we're fighting for on harassment, 9.5, subcontracting, full-time jobs, technology and other priority issues. It's hard to back our union and pressure the company when we're kept in the dark about what what we’re fighting for.

Let’s unite around the issues and Make UPS Deliver a fair contract.

In another sign of UPS's fat profits, the company once again hiked payments to stockholders. Cash dividends have tripled since 2000.

The UPS Board of Directors declared an 8.8% increase in stock dividends on Feb. 13. UPS also announced a $10 billion corporate stock buy-back, much larger than had previously been announced.

UPS profits have stayed up in a down economy. The company made $4.38 billion last year alone. Shareholders are reaping the benefits. Dividends have steadily increased and tripled since 2000.

CEO Scott Davis stated that "During 2012 we generated almost $5.4 billion in free cash flow."

It's time for some of that cash to flow to the UPS Teamsters who are producing these profits.

Source: UPS Press Release

February 19, 2013: UPS and UPS Freight Teamsters turned out in big numbers at contract rallies this last weekend, demonstrating members are ready to stand up for our contract.

Teamsters jammed packed halls in Indianapolis, Toledo, St. Louis, Seattle, Oakland and Ontario, Calif. The largest of the rallies in Southern California drew nearly 2,000 Teamsters.

More rallies are scheduled for next weekend, including in New Jersey, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Orlando and Tampa.

"It felt great to be with a couple thousand UPS Teamsters united in solidarity. Part-time, package car, feeders, everyone," said Local 396 member Alex Tenchavez who attended the rally in Southern California. "We need to keep the pressure on the company. Let them know we will not settle short like the last contract."

Ken Hall repeated his pledge that the Teamsters would make no givebacks to a company that's making billions and said that UPS Teamsters would not pay "$90, $9 or 9 cents" toward our healthcare premiums.

But while UPS's demands for healthcare givebacks drew a crowd, it's production harassment and related issues that drew the most comments from members.

"We've been waiting for five years to negotiate new contract language to deal with subcontracting, harassment, full-time jobs, 9.5, and dishonesty," said John Youngermann who went to the rally in St. Louis. "This is our chance and we need to come away with improvements we can sink our teeth into."

UPS was making record profits going into the last contract negotiations. But the union agreed to water down members 9.5 rights and give UPS the right to fire drivers based solely on information from technology in cases of "dishonesty."

While the International Union has talked in specifics about healthcare and retiree healthcare, the reports on harassment and language issues have been kept deliberately vague.

"The rally pulled members together to draw a line in the sand that we're not going to accept concessions on healthcare," said Jeff Mullins of Indianapolis Local 135. "We need to keep up the pressure and draw the same line in the sand on our other contract issues."

"Members need to know what we're fighting for on 9.5, technology, harassment, full-time jobs, part-time wage increases and other key issues," Mullins said.

February 8, 2013: In an effort to put our union on the defensive in contract negotiations, UPS management has put a proposal on the table that members pay up to $90 a week for health benefits.

General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall drew a line in the sand on the issue on a national conference call of local officers yesterday and announced a series of union actions by the International and local unions.

"We're not paying $90. We're not paying $9. We're not paying 9¢. We're not paying premiums for health insurance for a company that made $4.389 billion," Hall said.

Hall said that UPS has been told they must drop the proposal when contract negotiations resume or the union will pull the plug on early bargaining.

"We will walk away from negotiations and see you in July," Hall said.

Healthcare Giveback by the Numbers

Under the company proposal, active UPS Teamsters—full-time and part-time—would pay healthcare premiums of $30 a week for single coverage, $60 for employee plus one, and $90 for family coverage.

Employee healthcare premiums would go up 10 percent each year of the contract and would hit $130 a week by the end of the agreement.

These concessions come on top of the company's earlier proposal to hike monthly premiums for retirees covered by the company's retiree healthcare plans.

Management is also proposing dramatic cuts in coverage for all Teamsters—active and retirees—in company healthcare plans, including massive increases in deductibles and co-pays.

Hall summarized the union's position like this: "We're not going to accept substantial cuts. We're not going to accept premiums. We're not negotiating a wage increase to cover it."

Teamster Response

The International Union has scheduled a series of meetings and indoor rallies across the country to show the company that UPS Teamsters flatly reject paying any part of our healthcare premiums.

Events are reportedly set for Seattle, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Boston, New Jersey, Baltimore, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Toledo, with the last rally in Florida right before negotiations resume.

The International Union is also calling on all Local Unions to hold parking lot meetings at UPS buildings on Feb. 21. Members will be asked to wear stickers as part of this National Day of Action.

"Stickers don't win or lose a contract," Hall admitted. "The purpose is to get members involved and show the company that we're unified."

All Teamsters should stand behind the bargaining committee in saying a loud NO to members paying for our healthcare, including attending union rallies, parking lot meetings and other actions.

Keep Our Eye on the Ball

The healthcare giveback is nothing but a scare tactic. It needs to get off the table now so we can focus on the issues that matter to working UPSers: harassment, technology, excessive overtime, full-time jobs, pensions, and more.

UPS made $4.38 billion in profits last year. Management knows they are not going to get this concession in the contract.

Their goal is to lower expectations and distract us from the real issues. We have to keep our eye on the ball. And so do our negotiators.

The International Union is spreading the word about management's concessionary demands. But there is still an information Brownout on the contract issues that matter to members and our union.

Hall has held two conference calls with local officers, and one with shop stewards, and has said nothing concrete or specific about excessive overtime, technology, the dishonesty loophole, SurePost, full-time jobs, harassment issues or any other issue on the table.

Members don't need to hear all of the details of bargaining, but we deserve at least some information.

Make UPS Deliver on Members' Issues

The IBT is releasing the specifics on the company's concessionary healthcare demands and letting members know just where our union negotiators stand: No Premiums, No Way.

Every Teamster should rally behind our union and say no to these givebacks.

But after we make the company pull these concessions off the table, then where will we stand?

TDU has laid out a Contract Scorecard of what we got in the last contract and what we need to be fighting for this time on language and economics.

Shouldn't our contract negotiators do the same?

It's our contract and we'll fight for it. Our negotiators need to keep members informed, not in the dark, about what we're fighting for.

Click here to download the leaflet "UPS Targets Our Health Benefits."

Click here to get involved with Make UPS Deliver or to send us a message.

February 1, 2013: UPS Teamsters stand up for a better contract as the company announces its 2012 profits.

In a tough economy, UPS continues to make huge profits. On Jan. 31, the company announced it hauled in $2.05 billion in profits in the fourth quarter of 2012—not counting a one-time accounting charge. Click here for TDU's detailed coverage.

The company was making record profits in 2007 but the Hoffa administration gave UPS contract concessions.

This year, UPS Teamsters are getting involved in the Make UPS Deliver campaign to win a fair contract this time.

Click here to send a message to Make UPS Deliver.

"I'm passing out TDU's Contract Scorecard to remind members of the givebacks that we got last time and the improvements we need to win this time."

Todd Hartsell, Package Car Driver
Local 90, Des Moines, Iowa

Click here to download the Contract Scorecard.

"UPSers who used to be in Central States are are getting the lowest pensions in the country. Make UPS Deliver put out a great cartoon and bulletin that lets members know where we stand so we can make our voices heard to demand a pension increase."

Antonio Bracy, Package Car Driver
Local 878, Little Rock, Ark.

Click here to download the Pension Bulletin for UPSers in the IBT-UPS plan in the Central Region, South and the Carolinas.

"Part-timers are half the workforce at UPS. We can win higher wages and more full-time jobs but the company needs to see we're paying attention and ready to Vote No on a bad contract."

Kas Schwerdtfeger, Night Sort
Local 344, Milwaukee

Click here to download the latest End Part-Time Poverty at UPS bulletin.

Click here to send a message to Make UPS Deliver.

The Teamsters Chief Negotiator at UPS and General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall has scheduled a conference call for Sat., Feb. 2 to give an update on national contract negotiations.

Call Details:
Saturday, February 2
12:00 p.m. Eastern
Dial-in number: 855-269-4484

Click here to download the official notice.

January 31, 2013: UPS announced record Fourth Quarter and Annual adjusted earnings in a company statement today.

UPS made profits of $2.05 billion excluding a big one-time pension accounting charge.

The company's fourth quarter profits looked like a loss thanks to an accounting gimmick. UPS took a massive one-time $3 billion "non-cash charge" on company pension and benefit plans. This charge did not affect the company's cash flow or benefits paid to participants.

Another one-time event, Hurricane Sandy, also cut into the company's bottom line, diluting earnings by $.05 a share according to the company.

After the pension charge, the company posted an official fourth-quarter net loss of $1.75 billion.

It's contract time. And UPS Teamsters can expect management to use the Fourth Quarter figures to talk up the bad economy.

Management and Teamsters know the truth: UPS continues to gain ground and make profits even in a tough economy.  Just look at the numbers the company can't manipulate through accounting gimmicks.

• UPS's fourth quarter revenue rose to $14.57 billion—up $400 million compared to last year.
• Daily package volume was up 3% to 16.2 million domestic packages a day.
• Operating profit in the company's domestic package operation increased by 4.4%.

UPS Teamsters continue to deliver huge revenue for the company. It's time for UPS to deliver for us by negotiating a fair contract.

Read news coverage:
Pension charge pushes UPS 4Q results into the red
UPS books loss after big pension charge, sees 2013 profit up

Click here to read UPS's official announcement.

January 23, 2013: The UPS contract covers nearly 250,000 Teamsters and sets the bar for every contract.

The IBT is in contract negotiations with UPS, the biggest union employer in North America, and the outcome will affect every Teamster.

The stakes are high, but you wouldn't know it from the IBT's information Brownout.

Contract negotiations come only once every five years. They're the only chance we get to negotiate not just our wages and pensions, but  the contract language that makes or breaks our quality of work life.

In a bad economy, the company has continued to haul in billions in annual profits by slashing full-time jobs and using technology, harassment, and excessive loads to squeeze more work out of a shrinking workforce.

While many drivers have too much work, part-time workers are denied the opportunity to work more guaranteed hours, earn overtime or get a full-time position.

The last time the Hoffa administration negotiated early with UPS, they delivered concessions.

The company walked away with split wage increases, longer progressions, a new substandard pension for 48,000 Teamsters in the Central Region and South, and concessions that froze starting pay and slashed benefits for new part-timers.

But it wasn't just the economics. The last contract also included weak language and gaping loopholes that has made it harder for members to protect themselves from production harassment, excessive overtime, and unfair discipline.

Chief negotiator Ken Hall told the Teamster Convention that the IBT would not negotiate early unless the economy turned around.

The economy is still on the brink, but we're at the bargaining table and UPS is predictably asking for concessions, including on healthcare and retiree healthcare.

Hall promised Convention delegates, "We're not going to be talking about concessions, we're going to be talking about improvements."

That's the right message. But it would mean a lot more if Hoffa and Hall hadn't built their careers on talking tough and settling short.

UPSers need to back our negotiators but do so with our eyes open.

We have the right to vote on any proposed contract settlement and that gives members the power to reject a weak offer and make UPS deliver a fair contract.

January 23, 2013: UPS is making billions. But our working conditions have never been worse.

Last time UPS and the International Union negotiated early, we got concessions. We need to do better. You only have so many shots at a contract in your career.

If UPS wants an early agreement, they need to address the growing problems under the current agreement.

UPS Teamsters are being kept in the dark by our Union about what's happening at the bargaining table. We need to make our voices heard on the issues that effect us every day.

No new contract deal can go into effect until it is approved by UPS Teamsters. Our Right to Vote gives us the power to win a better contract.

We need to be ready to Vote No unless UPS delivers the contract improvements we need.

Click here to download the UPS Contract Scorecard.