One of the key architects of the 1997 UPS contract campaign explained the key steps and lessons for how members and new Teamster leadership can fight for the contract we deserve in 2023.
The UPS workshop was part of a series of zoom trainings and strategy sessions leading up to this year’s online TDU Convention on Sunday November 8. Find out more and register here.
Rand Wilson worked as a senior Communications Coordinator assigned to the Package Division by General President Ron Carey.
Here, Wilson breaks down the year-long contract campaign that laid the foundation for the 1997 strike victory:
The story of the contract campaign and 1997 UPS strike is also broken down in this article from Labor Notes. The strike was hyped in Men in Brown, a parody of the theme song from Men in Black.
Looking Ahead
Winning the UPS Contract We Deserve didn’t just look back to 1997.
In breakout groups, members:
- Discussed the lessons of the 2018 contract and Vote No movement
- Debated the key issues for the next contract
- Heard from Vinnie Perrone and Juan Campos, the leaders of New York Local 804 and Chicago Local 705 about what it will take to win a strong contract in 2023
Upcoming Workshops
Winning the UPS Contract We Deserve was part of a series of zoom trainings and strategy sessions leading up to this year’s online TDU Convention on Sunday November 8.
The next workshop is After We Win: Challenges & Opportunities for the Teamsters Under New Leadership. It will be held on Saturday, October 17 at noon EDT / 11 am Central / 9 am Pacific.