Teamsters Union Files Restrictive Order Against UPS’s New Buyout Plan
In a bold and decisive move, the Teamsters Union has taken United Parcel Service (UPS) to court, filing an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against UPS’s recently proposed Driver Choice Program (DCP). This development comes as UPS, under the leadership of CEO Carol Tomé, attempts to implement what the union characterizes as a second illegal buyout initiative targeting its members—drivers who are essential to the company’s operations.
The Teamsters have articulated their position through court documents submitted to the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. They allege that UPS has committed multiple violations of the National Master Agreement, an essential framework that governs the relationship between the company and its drivers. Among the accusations, the union points out six critical breaches, including UPS's direct dealings with workers that bypass the union, the elimination of union jobs despite contractual obligations to create more positions, and a systematic weakening of the role and privileges of union shop stewards.
Since January, the Teamsters have submitted over 57 information requests to UPS, seeking clarity on the regulatory and procedural aspects of the upcoming buyout program. However, the union claims that UPS executives, including Tomé, have largely ignored these requests, suggesting that the DCP was developed in a clandestine manner, in direct violation of the agreements made with Teamsters. The national contract, ratified by an overwhelming majority in 2023, was designed to protect the interests of the hundreds of thousands of full- and part-time UPS workers within its fold.
Sean M. O'Brien, General President of the Teamsters, expressed his exasperation at UPS's disregard for legal propriety and contractual fidelity: ‘For the second time in six months, UPS has proven it doesn't care about the law… Our union will not allow UPS to inflate its earnings reports on the backs of Teamsters families.’ This statement encapsulates the union's broader concerns that the proposed DCP would undermine the hard-won rights of union members by offering a one-time lump sum payment in exchange for irrevocable decisions that could limit their professional futures.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that the DCP would offer financial incentives for UPS Teamsters to relinquish their union representation. This would effectively force them to forfeit essential benefits which include strong wages, health care provided by the employer, and guaranteed retirement plans—all foundations of the union’s value to its members. Observers note that this proposal has a far broader reach than a previous initiative, known as the Driver Voluntary Separation Program (DVSP), aimed primarily at older, more tenured drivers nearing retirement and which was largely rejected by the rank-and-file.
Local unions affiliated with the Teamsters have filed numerous grievances against UPS for its actions regarding the DVSP, with expectations that these will soon go to binding arbitration after a National Grievance Committee meeting. The looming specter of the DCP resonates with many union members, who fear it could irreparably harm their collective bargaining power and weaken the integrity of union representation in the future.
In their legal motions submitted to the court, the Teamsters are requesting an injunction to halt the rollout of the DCP and to freeze UPS's implementation of additional incentive programs until an arbitrator renders a decision on the DVSP violation allegations. The similarity between the two initiatives is irrefutable, according to union leaders.
Fred Zuckerman, General Secretary-Treasurer of the Teamsters, lambasted the DCP as more than a mere breach of contract. He emphasized that permitting UPS to proceed with such a program would be an attack on the legal rights of every member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. With UPS having recently reported a staggering $8.5 billion in cash from its previous quarter, the profit-focused corporate strategy is viewed by the union as reflective of greed and a blatant disregard for workers' rights.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents a crucial sector of the workforce in North America, advocating for the rights and interests of 1.3 million workers across diverse industries. As the Teamsters continue their fight against UPS's aggressive tactics, they stand firm on the principle that any financial gains should not come at the expense of familiar worker protections and benefits. Stay tuned as the legal battle unfolds and the Teamsters continue to fight for their members' rights.
The Teamsters have articulated their position through court documents submitted to the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. They allege that UPS has committed multiple violations of the National Master Agreement, an essential framework that governs the relationship between the company and its drivers. Among the accusations, the union points out six critical breaches, including UPS's direct dealings with workers that bypass the union, the elimination of union jobs despite contractual obligations to create more positions, and a systematic weakening of the role and privileges of union shop stewards.
Since January, the Teamsters have submitted over 57 information requests to UPS, seeking clarity on the regulatory and procedural aspects of the upcoming buyout program. However, the union claims that UPS executives, including Tomé, have largely ignored these requests, suggesting that the DCP was developed in a clandestine manner, in direct violation of the agreements made with Teamsters. The national contract, ratified by an overwhelming majority in 2023, was designed to protect the interests of the hundreds of thousands of full- and part-time UPS workers within its fold.
Sean M. O'Brien, General President of the Teamsters, expressed his exasperation at UPS's disregard for legal propriety and contractual fidelity: ‘For the second time in six months, UPS has proven it doesn't care about the law… Our union will not allow UPS to inflate its earnings reports on the backs of Teamsters families.’ This statement encapsulates the union's broader concerns that the proposed DCP would undermine the hard-won rights of union members by offering a one-time lump sum payment in exchange for irrevocable decisions that could limit their professional futures.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that the DCP would offer financial incentives for UPS Teamsters to relinquish their union representation. This would effectively force them to forfeit essential benefits which include strong wages, health care provided by the employer, and guaranteed retirement plans—all foundations of the union’s value to its members. Observers note that this proposal has a far broader reach than a previous initiative, known as the Driver Voluntary Separation Program (DVSP), aimed primarily at older, more tenured drivers nearing retirement and which was largely rejected by the rank-and-file.
Local unions affiliated with the Teamsters have filed numerous grievances against UPS for its actions regarding the DVSP, with expectations that these will soon go to binding arbitration after a National Grievance Committee meeting. The looming specter of the DCP resonates with many union members, who fear it could irreparably harm their collective bargaining power and weaken the integrity of union representation in the future.
In their legal motions submitted to the court, the Teamsters are requesting an injunction to halt the rollout of the DCP and to freeze UPS's implementation of additional incentive programs until an arbitrator renders a decision on the DVSP violation allegations. The similarity between the two initiatives is irrefutable, according to union leaders.
Fred Zuckerman, General Secretary-Treasurer of the Teamsters, lambasted the DCP as more than a mere breach of contract. He emphasized that permitting UPS to proceed with such a program would be an attack on the legal rights of every member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. With UPS having recently reported a staggering $8.5 billion in cash from its previous quarter, the profit-focused corporate strategy is viewed by the union as reflective of greed and a blatant disregard for workers' rights.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents a crucial sector of the workforce in North America, advocating for the rights and interests of 1.3 million workers across diverse industries. As the Teamsters continue their fight against UPS's aggressive tactics, they stand firm on the principle that any financial gains should not come at the expense of familiar worker protections and benefits. Stay tuned as the legal battle unfolds and the Teamsters continue to fight for their members' rights.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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