The International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Friday authorized a strike at United Parcel Services Inc. if the company and the union fail to reach a contract agreement by July 31.
The union said it has been in contract negotiations with the company since mid-April, and that 97% of UPS
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Teamsters members voted for the strike authorization.
“This vote shows that hundreds of thousands of Teamsters are united and determined to get the best contract in our history at UPS,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said in a statement.
According to the union, which represents more than 340,000 UPS delivery drivers and warehouse workers around the nation, the UPS national master agreement is the largest private-sector contract in North America. The Teamsters’ goal is a new five-year contract for full- and part-time UPS workers that includes higher wages and more full-time jobs. The union is also pushing to kill a two-tier wage system, and for protection from heat and other hazards.
Atlanta-based UPS is the world’s largest delivery company. A company spokesperson called the authorization vote a normal step in labor negotiations and said it does not mean a strike is imminent.
“We continue to make progress on key issues and remain confident that we will reach an agreement that provides wins for our employees, the Teamsters, our company and our customers,” the spokesperson said.
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