The Teamsters National UPS Negotiating Committee received UPS’ initial economic proposal this week, and the union will be responding during the next round of negotiations.

The company’s action comes after the union committee made its initial economic proposal during the last negotiations in late April.

This week, the eighth week of negotiations, the company’s economic proposal covered Article 22—Part-time Employees; Article 34—Health, Welfare & Pension; and Article 41—Full-time Employees.

In addition, several union proposals remain open, particularly on the important issue of subcontracting.

“As we anticipated, the company’s initial economic proposals do not address our members’ needs as written,” said Denis Taylor, Director of the Teamsters Package Division and Co-Chairman of the Teamsters National UPS Negotiation Committee. “Our mission continues to be protecting the livelihoods of all our UPS members and their families. Make no mistake, there is plenty of work to do but the committee remains focused  on getting the job done.”

At this stage of the negotiations, the committee is working to analyze and formulate counter proposals on the various full-time wage progressions and part-time start rates and wage structure.

Safety and Health Committee Update

The Teamsters Safety and Health Committee held a union caucus on Monday to discuss the status of all proposals and organize its approach for the remainder of the negotiations. The committee met with UPS on Wednesday.

The union committee held a caucus for the remainder of the day preparing a response to revised proposals, and counter proposals. Discussions covered Safety and Health Committees, small bags (over 70-pound package handling), heat injury and illness prevention, diesel-exhaust systems, building heat, package car grip strips and heaters, building inbound/outbound security procedures, and airport badging. The company chose to postpone further discussion until the next negotiations.

UPS Freight Progress

The Teamsters National UPS Freight Negotiating Committee reached several tentative agreements this week: Article 7—Grievance Machinery; Article 17—Pay Period; Article 18—Work Day/Work Week; and Article 20—Cooperation of Employees/Fair Day’s Pay.

In addition, both sides tentatively agreed to language for monetary penalties for delayed payment of grievance awards or settlements, and payroll shortages.

The next round of negotiations will take place June 4-7.

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