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Teamsters Demand UPS Address Heat Safety and Staffing Issues

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has formally requested that UPS provide detailed information on several critical issues affecting their workforce as they reach the halfway mark of their historic five-year contract. Among the focal points of their inquiry are the provision of air-conditioned delivery vehicles, outstanding overtime grievances, and the status of full-time job offers for part-time workers.

In August 2023, nearly 340,000 Teamsters ratified an agreement with UPS that promised at least 28,000 package cars equipped with air conditioning and committed to creating 22,500 permanent full-time jobs. However, recent reports indicate that UPS may already be falling short of these commitments. Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien expressed considerable concern over the situation, highlighting that the slow pace in fulfilling these provisions is unacceptable.

O'Brien stated, "We are halfway into our union's national contract and the Teamsters are gravely concerned that UPS is not living up to its end of the deal." He emphasized that UPS’s hesitance in delivering air-conditioned vehicles, coupled with the excessive workload forced upon employees, has created a situation where workers are feeling increasingly vulnerable, particularly given the intensifying summer heat.

As summer temperatures soar, with some regions experiencing extreme heat above 100 degrees, the urgency for UPS to fulfill its contractual obligation regarding air conditioning in vehicles becomes critical. The Teamsters Package Division estimates that only about 10% of the necessary air-conditioned vehicles have been delivered, putting UPS significantly behind schedule and raising questions about their ability to meet future requirements.

The union has given UPS until July 1 to respond to its demands, which include details on the number of full-time job opportunities currently offered to part-time workers under Article 22 of their National Master Agreement. The pressure on UPS is mounting due to the company’s obligation to create an additional 7,500 full-time positions over the last three years of the contract. Furthermore, the union is seeking transparency concerning various grievances related to overtime violations as stipulated in Article 37, which safeguards workers against forced overtime and ensures they receive adequate compensation.

In light of the ongoing heatwave affecting delivery zones, the Teamsters are also demanding immediate updates on UPS’s plans to roll out air-conditioned vehicles specifically targeting drivers in areas with the highest heat indexes. The concern is not solely on comfort, but rather on the safety and well-being of the Teamsters who labor under strenuous conditions. O'Brien stressed, "The summer heat beating down on our members is no joke. UPS is playing a dangerous game with the lives of thousands of essential American workers."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents an extensive network of 1.3 million workers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The organization is dedicated to advocating for workers' rights and ensuring safe working conditions with fair compensation. For ongoing updates on the situation with UPS and other labor issues, follow Teamsters on their social media platforms or visit their website at Teamster.org.