Vermont Local 597 Teamsters rallied and marched at UPS near Burlington to protest management’s refusal to pay out millions of dollars in grievances. Holding signs that said “Time to Pay Up” Local 597 members spoke out about grueling overtime and runaway contract violations.

Like many UPS buildings, the Williston building is chronically understaffed. Almost all 100 drivers have signed on to the 9.5 list. This year’s buyout program at UPS made understaffing even worse. 

“There was an instance not too long ago where I almost fell asleep on my drive home,” said 16-year driver and shop steward Steve Dumont. “I didn’t get done delivering until at almost 11:30pm. By the time I finally got to bed it was 2am. Then I got up at 6am to do it again.” 

Members have filed over 500 9.5 grievances since March. Management has refused to pay out grievances for months and currently owes over $2 million to Local 597 members. 

Then, during the hottest week of the year so far, the air conditioning at the facility failed. 

Management at the hub paid to rent temporary units for their offices set to 65 degrees while drivers worked excessive overtime in a heat wave. Members got angry and took action. 

They made their own signs and marched up and down the main road outside the facility in the hours before their shifts began. Members and Local 597 officers warn management that they aren’t done turning up the heat.