Over the last few years, I have gotten active in TDU and the UPS Teamsters United network. Here’s why.
UPS Teamsters United is a national network of Teamster activists at UPS that builds union power by informing and mobilizing members from the bottom up.
Through UPS Teamsters United, I’ve networked with other union activists across the country, shared contract enforcement strategies, and learned new skills as a union activist.
TDU first launched the UPS Teamsters United campaign to prepare for 2018 UPS contract negotiations.
Members organized a nationwide grassroots contract campaign to oppose the creation of the two-tier 22.4 driver position and to demand higher pay and more full-time jobs for part-timers. TDU helped build a Vote No effort, and a majority of members voted against the contract. But Hoffa imposed it anyway.
That’s when UPS Teamsters United went from mobilizing members to Vote No to uniting members to vote for change.
Fighting For Better Contracts
I first got involved in TDU and UPS Teamsters United as part of the campaign to elect the Teamsters United Slate in 2021.
We campaigned to elect Sean O’Brien and Fred Zuckerman and helped build the UPS contract campaign.
During the 2023 UPS contract campaign, UPS Teamsters United activists passed out leaflets, collected signatures on the Contract Unity Pledge, organized rallies and parking lot meetings, and helped organize practice picketing.
UPS Teamsters United held online webinars throughout the contract campaign to show members how to do this. The webinars kept members updated and gave us a way to share strategies for organizing the contract campaign in our areas.
Education Is Power
Today, TDU and the UPS Teamsters United network is focused on educating members, enforcing the contract, and developing new union activists at UPS.
We hold online webinars and in-person workshops, and build local, regional and national networks.
As a shop steward, I participate in TDU webinars and invite other members in my building to attend. I help organize parking lot meetings and pass out leaflets and toolkits from UPS Teamsters United. I also participate in my local’s volunteer organizing committee.
A group of UPS Teamsters United activists and stewards in my local have also recently started a weekly reading group where we discuss books on topics like just cause and legal rights of union stewards.
I have been building a network of other UPS stewards and activists in the Central Region to share strategies and resources. We have an active group chat, and we hold conference calls and Zoom meetings to keep others informed.
When a new issue comes up, like new SurePost volume or confusion over the starting date for 9.5 rights, it’s really helpful to be able to discuss them with UPS Teamsters activists from many different locals whom I trust.
All of the UPS Teamsters United resources are available at www.upsteamstersunited.org. If you are interested in finding out more, join a webinar or call TDU at 313-842-2600.
Enforce 9.5 Rights
Last year I talked to a group of drivers in my center about their 9.5 rights, and we all started filing together. We checked in with each other. We got up to 15 drivers getting quadruple time checks. This year with the increased SurePost volume we need to ramp up our 9.5 enforcement.
Theresa Antal
Local 776, Harrisburg, Pa.
Stay Informed
“I found TDU through website posts and webinars about the UPS contract campaign and was inspired to become a shop steward. Now I use the TDU webinars to become more
effective at contract enforcement. After one of the webinars, another TDU member from my local called me to check in. He helped me grow as a steward and introduced me to other stewards. Before TDU, I felt pretty disconnected from the union outside of my rural building, but now I feel like I have a union community.”
Racheal Stoops
Local 413, Columbus
Network With Other Teamsters
“I have really seen the value of TDU since I got introduced to the larger network of experienced activists and stewards at UPS. I use group chats and conference calls with other UPS Teamsters United activists to stay up to date on the latest panel decisions and management tactics at UPS so I can share the updates with my people in Toledo. I also now have several mentors from other locals who I can call on with any specific questions with problems at my building.”
Demario Jennings
Local 20, Toledo