Chief among the issues is the new two-tier system, known as the 22.4 driver classification. In this new agreement, UPS was allowed to classify one-fifth of the drivers as “combination drivers” who in theory work part-time inside the warehouse and part-time driving – and are paid less. But what happened instead is exactly what reformers and rank-and-file members said would happen. UPS used this new classification as a way to work 20% of their drivers for cheaper wages with no overtime protections, including mandatory six-day work weeks.

This issue has been a particular focus of Teamster presidential candidate Sean O’Brien of the O’Brien/Zuckerman (OZ) slate, who has called it a strike issue. How members have reacted is already being seen in the results of the delegate elections, where OZ-supporting slates have been tremendously successful, a sign of how the international elections will go. While the convention itself can’t do anything directly about the 22.4 issue, it’s possible that the delegates can pass resolutions to take action.

With a likely OZ slate victory looming in the future, the stage is set for the 2023 contract campaign. The 22.4 issue is an extremely charged one and has the potential to build to a strike.

#GrandRapidsMI #PeoplesStruggles #Teamsters #Hoffa #TeachersUnions #OBrienZuckerman

Tampa, FL – Rank-and-file Teamsters all across the country have been petitioning for the O’Brien-Zuckerman leadership slate accreditation for the upcoming 2021 Teamster election. The slate, out of the Teamsters United coalition, is led by Sean O’Brien for general president and Fred Zuckerman for general secretary-treasurer. Teamsters United is a large coalition within the Teamsters union fighting for better contracts, a stronger union, and for worker power against the boss.

Current General President James P. Hoffa has been in the office for over 20 years and will be stepping down in 2021. Hoffa’s time as president has been marked by concessions and givebacks to companies like UPS, YRC, and ABF. Most notably, Hoffa forced through the 2018 UPS Teamster contract despite a historic majority “No” vote. Hoffa has already shown support for another leadership slate, Vairma-Herrera.

In 2016 Teamsters United’s slate received the majority of votes in the United States but was narrowly defeated after the Canadian Teamsters’ votes were counted. After Hoffa’s lack of action during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued concessions and givebacks, the Teamster United reform slate is in a strong position to win.

“Throughout this petition drive, I have consistently seen and heard how fed up many Teamsters are by the current leadership, particularly because of the union contract. I joined the O’Brien Zuckerman petition drive to fight for a better union and stronger contract, for current and future Teamsters,” said Lindsey Hamann, a UPS package car driver in Teamsters Local 344. “Coming from a grassroots movement, led by rank-and-file workers and Teamsters United leaders, this is a fight we are going to win.”

#TampaFL #Teamsters #UPS #TeamstersUnited #OBrienZuckerman #SeanOBrien