September 12, 2007: If you liked the “Best Contract Ever” President Hoffa has good news for you. In the latest update on negotiations from the International Union, Hoffa announces that he is committed to negotiating the “Very Best Agreement” this year.

Unfortunately, UPS Teamsters looking for more substantial information from our International Union leadership will find that, despite our union’s new Contract Hotline, members are still being kept out in the cold when it comes to any meaningful information about negotiations.

According to Hoffa, our union is demanding “more contributions toward all members’ pension, health and welfare plans than any other UPS contract in history.” Hoffa does NOT mention that the 2002 contract also delivered the highest pension and benefit contributions ever—along with the worst benefit cuts in Teamster history.

With a tentative agreement expected soon, UPS Teamsters deserve more than empty slogans and misleading PR. UPS is making record profits. The upcoming tentative agreement will obviously be the richest contract in Teamster history. That’s not the question. The real issue is will the upcoming contract will provide the long-term retirement security, benefit improvements and stronger contract protections that Hoffa promised UPS Teamsters in 2002.

In the statement, Ken Hall says that the company and the union are still far apart—including on non-economic issues. But members are given no information on what these issues are.

Hoffa and Hall have promised an agreement by Oct. 1 but still refuse to tell members what we are fighting for on issues like new full-time jobs, 9.5, eight-hour requests, supervisors working, stronger protections and fair pay for combo workers, higher wages especially for part-timers, subcontracting to UPS freight, protection from UPS’s spy technology and other issues.

As contract talks came down to the wire in 1997, our International Union mailed every UPS Teamster a detailed comparison of our union’s contract proposals and the company’s offer. That bulletin from our union was entitled, “What We’re Fighting For.”

With a contract deadline of Oct. 1, that’s exactly what the Hoffa administration should be telling Teamsters at UPS.

Click here to download a Contract Scorecard with some key improvements we need to win as part of any early agreement.

Click here to read the 1997 bargaining comparison “What We’re Fighting For.”

Click here to read the statement on negotiations from Jim Hoffa and Ken Hall.

If management gets its way in contract negotiations, UPS will soon be diverting packages to UPS Freight, the company's nonunion freight carrier.

Sources close to the negotiations have told Traffic World, a leading industry publication, that UPS is pushing for work rule changes that would allow them to move packages from its parcel to freight divisions.

Corporate consultants love the idea.

“It's nonunion. It would be more cost effective,” said one industry expert.

It would also destroy Teamster jobs.

Traffic World broke the story in a report called, “Union Trading Parcels? UPS, Teamsters negotiations could shift to talks about shifting small packages to UPS Freight.”

The Teamsters Union could easily put the issue to rest by saying clearly that we will never agree to such a concession. Instead, our union refused to comment for the story. This only fueled speculation that the Hoffa administration is considering the deal in exchange for the right to organize UPS Freight.

“That is one carrot that could be offered” sources familiar with the negotiations told Traffic World.

While pension talks have gotten the most attention, analysts say these work rule changes could have the bigger impact.

Analysts confirmed that “UPS has to have negotiations done quickly” because shippers “will not understand a protracted negotiations. They still remember the last strike.”

This gives us leverage. We should be using it to win the improvements Teamsters were promised under the "Best Contract Ever"—without new historic givebacks like the Central States pension grab or letting UPS take our work away and give it to UPS Freight.

Read the entire Traffic World report.

Download the latest Make UPS Deliver bulletin.

Contact us with your opinion on this issue.

Let us know if you can help distribute UPS contract information.

Ron Carey speaks out in a new book on the 1997 UPS Strike. Read the interview the Hoffa administration did not want you to see.

In a book released on the 10th Anniversary of the Teamster strike victory at UPS, author Deepa Kumar spoke with former General President Ron Carey about his struggles with the company and old guard Teamster officials culminating in the 1997 UPS Strike.

Outside the Box: Corporate Media, Globalization and the UPS Strike tells the story of how that strike and contract campaign forced the media to cover issues of corporate greed and part-time work in a booming U.S. economy.

With the public behind us, Teamster members defeated an attempt by UPS to take over Teamster pension funds and won record benefit increases and 10,000 new full-time jobs.

The book, Outside the Box was originally supposed to be featured in an article in the Teamster magazine. But the Hoffa administration squashed the feature after they learned that Ron Carey was interviewed in an appendix in the book.

Click here to read the interview with Ron Carey.

Click here for more information about Outside the Box:Corporate Media, Globalization and the UPS Strike.

Teamster members can get the book at 20% off the cover price by calling 1-800-621-273. The discount code for Teamster members is DKB.

August 31, 2007: Chief negotiators James Hoffa and Ken Hall announced today they will let UPS break out of the Central States Pension Fund in an early deal to be inked by October.

Then the issue will be in the hands of working Teamsters at UPS.

This is an issue that will affect every Teamster-not just UPSers. Every Teamster who is concerned about the future of our union's power and our benefit funds needs to make their voice heard and to call on local officers to take a stand to defend our union.

You can help make that happen by distributing this information to Teamsters where you work and at union meetings.

A hard-core sales job, by both the company and the union, is on the way. UPS Teamsters need to be prepared to evaluate any early settlement carefully and scrutinize the impact it would have on both Teamster benefits and working conditions.

Click here if you can help us alert other Teamsters and to send us your thoughts on this issue.

Click here to download the latest bulletin from Make UPS Deliver.

Click here to download the latest Central States Pension Update from TDU.

Working Conditions at Stake

One danger is that the pension issue will overshadow the many contract issues affecting UPSers' daily working conditions.

In surveys and contract meetings, working Teamsters at UPS made it clear that UPS should not get an early agreement unless it includes:

• Real protection from excessive overtime
• Strong language to ensure compliance with 8-hour requests
• Higher wages-especially for part-timers and combo workers
• Fairness for combo workers-including stronger bidding and seniority rights.
• Increased penalties for supervisors working
• Protection from unfair discipline based on new UPS spying technology
• A minimum of 10,000 new full-time jobs

UPS is prepared to spend billions to push through its pension grab and distract members from the critical language issues that determine the quality of our work lives.

The pressure is on the company, not us, to settle early. We need to win the improvements that we deserve or we will suffer the consequences for another five years.

Central States Pension Grab

UPS has been gunning for more control over our pensions for years. This year, they are taking a more incremental approach by focusing on Central States. If they get their foot in the door at Central States, the company will target other Teamster funds in the future.

We can expect plenty of bait to get Central States Teamsters to swallow the hook, including:

• Higher pension benefits than what Central States currently offers
• Real 30 & Out benefits (no 6 percent annual penalty for retiring before age 62)
• More affordable retiree healthcare
  

That's what UPS will dangle to get working Teamsters to take the bait. The hook will come later when UPS caps future pension increases going forward. UPS stands to save billions of dollars over the long-term by reducing future benefit costs. That's what the company's move against Central States is all about.

That's why UPS management will offer approximately a $6 billion payment to withdraw from Central States. UPS management knows they will make up these billions and more by paying working Teamsters lower benefits in the future.

A drug dealer is always willing to sell you your first score on the cheap. They know they'll make it up many times over once you're hooked.

We can win improved benefits and affordable retiree health care without letting UPS split the pension fund. Our union took that united position in 1997 and we won record pension increases.

Hoffa and Hall Shill the Company Plan

It's obvious why the company wants to destroy Central States, but why are Hoffa and Hall are cynically promoting this short-sighted deal?

They claim that actuaries hired by the union say that breaking up the Central States Fund is the "only option." Are these the same actuaries who promised that the "Best Contract Ever" would protect our benefits for the life of the agreement?

These actuarial studies are paid for by members' dues-so why isn't this information made available to Teamster members so it can be independently verified? Instead, UPS Teamsters are kept in the dark and told to take Hoffa word for it. That's what we did with the "Best Contract Ever" promises.

In 2002, Hoffa and Hall gave away the 30 & Out benefits that we fought for decades to win-and secured in our 1997 strike victory.. Now they are poised to give away the rest of our strike victory by giving up the Central States Pension Fund.

Concerned Teamsters Need to Act Now

An early deal is on the way and so is the biggest sales job ever. We need to prepare our fellow UPS Teamsters to carefully scrutinize any early settlement-and consider its long-term consequences, not just the short-term improvements.

Leading up to the settlement, TDU and the Make UPS Deliver campaign will be producing informational bulletins. When a tentative deal is reached, we will publish a detailed analysis so UPS Teamsters can make an informed decision.

You can help make that happen by distributing this information to Teamsters where you work and at union meetings.

This is an issue that will affect every Teamster-not just UPSers. Every Teamster who is concerned about the future of our union's power and our benefit funds needs to make their voice heard and to call on local officers to take a stand to defend our union.

Remember, the 'Best Contract Ever' sounded good in the short term too. Hundreds of thousands of Teamsters paid the price through benefit cuts and diminished member confidence in our union.

We can't afford to let history repeat itself.

Click here if you can help us alert other Teamsters and to send us your thoughts on this issue.

Click here to download the latest bulletin from Make UPS Deliver.

Click here to download the latest Central States Pension Update from TDU.

Click here to download the statement from James Hoffa and Ken Hall.

Hoffa Announces He Will Cut Central States Deal

Chief negotiators James Hoffa and Ken Hall issued a statement today announcing they will let UPS break 42,000 Teamsters out of the Central States Pension Fund in an early deal to be inked by October 1.

Then the issue will be in the hands of working Teamsters at UPS.

This is an issue that will affect every Teamster—not just UPSers. Every Teamster who is concerned about the future of our union’s power and our benefit funds need to make their voice heard and to call on local officers to take a stand to defend our union.

You can help make that happen by distributing this information to Teamsters where you work and at union meetings.

A hard-core sales job, by both the company and the union, is on the way. UPS Teamsters need to be prepared to evaluate any early settlement carefully and scrutinize the impact it would have on both our benefits and working conditions.

Click here if you can help us alert other Teamsters and to send us your thoughts on this issue.

Click here to download the latest bulletin from Make UPS Deliver.

Click here to download the latest Central States Pension Update from TDU.

Central States Pension Grab

UPS has been gunning for more control over our pensions for years. This year, they are taking a more incremental approach by focusing on Central States. If they get their foot in the door there, the company will target other Teamster funds in the future. Other Teamster employers will follow suit, including ABF and others.

We can expect plenty of bait to get Central States Teamsters to swallow the hook, including:

• Higher pension benefits than what Central States currently offers
• Real 30 & Out benefits (no 6 percent annual penalty for retiring before age 62)
• More affordable retiree healthcare

That’s what UPS will dangle to get working Teamsters to take the bait. The hook will come later when UPS caps future pension increases going forward. UPS stands to save billions of dollars over the long-term by reducing future benefit costs. That’s what the company’s move against Central States is all about.

That’s why UPS management will offer approximately a $6 billion payment to withdraw from Central States. UPS management knows they will make up these billions and more by paying working Teamsters lower benefits in the future.

A drug dealer is always willing to sell you your first score on the cheap. They know they’ll make it up many times over once you’re hooked.

We can win improved benefits and affordable retiree health care without letting UPS split the pension fund. Our union took that united position in 1997 and we won record pension increases.

Working Conditions at Stake

One danger for UPS Teamsters is that the Central States pension issue will overshadow the many contract issues affecting UPSers’ daily working conditions.

In surveys and contract meetings, working Teamsters at UPS made it clear that UPS should not get an early agreement unless it includes:

• Real protection from excessive overtime
• Strong language to ensure compliance with 8-hour requests
• Higher wages—especially for part-timers and combo workers
• Fairness for combo workers—including stronger bidding and seniority rights.
• Increased penalties for supervisors working
• Protection from unfair discipline based on new UPS spying technology
• A minimum of 10,000 new full-time jobs

UPS is prepared to spend billions to push through its pension grab and distract us from the critical language issues that determine the quality of our work lives.

The pressure is on the company, not us, to settle early. We need to win the improvements that we deserve or we will suffer the consequences for another five years.

Hoffa and Hall Shill the Company Plan

It’s obvious why the company wants to destroy Central States, but why are Hoffa and Hall promoting this short-sighted deal?

They claim that actuaries hired by the union say that breaking up the Central States Fund is the “only option.” Are these the same actuaries who promised that the “Best Contract Ever” would protect our benefits for the life of the 2002 agreement?

These actuarial studies are paid for by members’ dues—so why isn’t this information made available to Teamster members so it can be independently verified? Instead, UPS Teamsters are kept in the dark and told to take Hoffa’s word for it. That’s what we did with the “Best Contract Ever” promises.

In 2002, Hoffa and Hall gave away the 30 & Out benefits that we fought for decades to win—and secured in our 1997 strike victory. Now they are poised to give away the rest of that victory by giving up the Central States Pension Fund.

Concerned Teamsters Need to Act Now

An early deal is on the way and so is the biggest sales job ever. We need to prepare our fellow UPS Teamsters to carefully scrutinize any early settlement—and consider its long-term consequences, not just the short-term improvements.

This is an issue that will affect every Teamster—not just UPSers. Every Teamster who is concerned about the future of our union’s power and our benefit funds need to make their voice heard and to call on local officers to take a stand to defend our union.

You can help make that happen by distributing this information to Teamsters where you work and at union meetings.

Leading up to the settlement, TDU and the Make UPS Deliver campaign will be producing informational bulletins. When a tentative deal is reached, we will publish a detailed analysis so UPS Teamsters can make an informed decision.

Remember, the ‘Best Contract Ever’ sounded good in the short term too. Hundreds of thousands of Teamsters paid the price through benefit cuts and diminished member confidence in our union.

We can’t afford to let history repeat itself.

Click here if you can help us alert other Teamsters and to send us your thoughts on this issue.

Click here to download the latest bulletin from Make UPS Deliver.

Click here to download the latest Central States Pension Update from TDU.

August 23, 2007: Sept. 19 will mark the one-year anniversary of the most secretive UPS contract negotiations in Teamster history. Before the month is out, Teamsters at UPS may have a contract to vote on.

Teamsters at UPS need to be prepared to evaluate any offer carefully to make sure it includes the improvements in wages, benefits and contract language that members deserve.

UPS management has a proven track record of floating weak offers to see if we’ll bite. In 1997, we rejected management’s “Last, Best and Final” offer and won 10,000 new full-time jobs and record wage and pension improvements.

In 2002, Hoffa and Hall settled two weeks early. Their “Best Contract Ever” resulted in the worst benefit cuts in Teamster history.
The slow pace of negotiations and the “Brownout” on information have been designed to lower membership expectations. But the pressure is on the company, not us. Shippers and stockholders are pressuring UPS to settle early. This gives us leverage.

If UPS comes up short, there is no reason for us to accept a weak contract. With our current contract in place until July 31, 2008, we can vote No and send our negotiators back to the table.

Last contract, we settled two weeks early and came to regret it. We should not settle many months early this time unless we’re sure we’ve made UPS deliver.

Our future is on the line. Get informed and get involved. As contract talks heat up, TDU and Make UPS Deliver will be sharing information. When a tentative deal is reached, we’ll get you the facts so you can make an informed decision.

August 23, 2007: The assets of the Central States Pension Fund are on the rise and our union will lose long-term power in dealing with management if we let UPS split from the fund. Those are the findings of pension experts and industry observers according to areport in this month’s Traffic World magazine.

That’s exactly why our union should reject UPS’s bid to break up the Central States fund. Instead, we should be negotiating benefit improvements that will immediately restore affordable healthcare and provide a roadmap to higher pension benefits as Central States continues to improve.

Consider these facts reported by Traffic World, a leading industry publication read by shippers and investors:

• “The Central States Pension Plan shows significant increase in assets” with an estimated “$700 million increase in assets through the first six months of the year.”

• “Central States’ total assets—about $21.4 billion—represent a significant increase over the $18.7 billion reported by the fund in 2005....The total could tally $22 billion by the year’s end.”

• “The ratio of active Teamsters to retirees has almost stabilized. There are 212,000 retirees and 146,000 active (full-time) Teamsters.”

These figures all come from the June Central States Fund’s Financial and Analytical Information report—and they have pension experts optimistic.

UPS Teamsters who suffered pension cuts and saw our fund’s assets drop might wonder, “What’s happening here?” Part of the answer is that the 2003 benefit cuts helped restore the fund’s assets. But pension experts also say “Multi-employer funds usually run in cycles.”

“They’re working their way back,” from the post 9-11 stock market slump, says pension expert Michael Cagnina, who manages $199 billion in pension assets for nearly 500 clients.

UPS wants to break out of the Central States plan to save billions in benefit costs—a move that would reduce our union’s long-term power in dealing with the company.

“It is the Teamsters’ pension—and particularly the multiemployer plan—that gives the union much of its draw and power,” industry analysts told Traffic World.

“It would take away from the union’s voice—the workers’ voice,” pension manager Michael Cagnina said.

Click here to read the entire report from Traffic World.