Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

UPS

By staff

“The combination driver will create animosity in the work place” —Teamster Central Region International VP Robert Kopystynsky

Enter a descriptive sentence about the photo here.

Chicago, IL – Teamster Chief Negotiator Dennis Taylor and UPS shook hands on a tentative agreement, June 22, which will include a new driving position called Full-Time Combination Drivers (Combo Driver). Full details were released July 10. UPS Teamsters across the country are calling the new position a two-tiered concession that spells doom for future package car drivers.

Read more...

By staff

Dustin Ponder, Teamster union steward fired by UPS for union activity

Jacksonville, FL – On July 3, UPS management in Jacksonville deadlocked a local hearing over Dustin Ponder, a shop steward for Teamsters Local 512 who was terminated last month for union activity. Presenting scant evidence against Ponder, the company refused to give the steward his job back despite protests by Teamsters locally and across the country.

Read more...

By Dave Schneider

Dave Schneider with Jacksonville Teamsters leafleting their building

Jacksonville, FL – On June 21, the Teamsters announced reaching a tentative agreement ‘in principle’ with UPS. Headed by Teamsters Package Division director Denis Taylor, the union’s committee unveiled “highlights from the economics in the agreement” after months of closed-door bargaining.

Read more...

By staff

Members of Teamsters Local 344 rally for decent contract.

Milwaukee, WI – On the overcast morning of June 22, over 50 package car drivers and part-time workers at the Elm Grove hub came to work early for a parking lot rally led by Teamsters Local 344.

Read more...

By Dave Schneider

Coworkers allege retaliation

Jacksonville Teamsters demand UPS reinstate Dustin Ponder.

Jacksonville, FL – As the expiration date for the Teamsters-UPS national master agreement rapidly approaches, UPS management has moved to crack down on union activists fighting for a better contract. On June 8, the company terminated Dustin Ponder, a union steward at UPS in Jacksonville, Florida, elected earlier this year. His activity and involvement in the 2018 contract battle and last month’s strike authorization vote have many Teamsters believing this is a case of management retaliation.

Read more...

By Elizabeth Kramer

Tampa, FL — On June 5 the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Package Division announced a big ‘yes’ vote for strike authorization at both UPS and UPS Freight. Teamsters voted ‘yes’ at 93.19% and 91.26% respectively.

Read more...

By Dave Schneider

Overwhelming ‘Yes’ vote expected as contract negotiations continue

Florida Teamsters leafleting at UPS.

Jacksonville, FL – Two crucial strike authorization votes are underway at UPS and UPS Freight. On May 16, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) began mailing ballot information to all members at UPS and UPS Freight, who will vote either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to give union negotiators the authority to call a strike.

Read more...

By Daniel Ginsberg

Los trabajadores UPS Teamsters organizan a sus companeros de trabajo.

Chicago, IL – Las negociaciones están en progreso entre el sindicato de la Fraternidad Internacional de los Teamsters y la empresa UPS ya que el contrato de cinco años, que cubre a 250,000 trabajadores, se vence el primero de Agosto. La quinta ronda de negociaciones empezó el 19 de Marzo y continuara hasta Abril.

Leer más...

By Kas Schwerdtfeger

Kas Schwerdtfeger.

Milwaukee, WI — As the critical month of December rolled in, the United Parcel Service mandated nationally new work rules for package delivery drivers, increasing the workweek to 70 hours for the duration of the holiday, or peak, season.

Read more...

By staff

Hoffa leadership prepares to sell-short

Jacksonville, FL – United Parcel Service (UPS) has less than one year before its contract with over 250,000 Teamsters expires. UPS Teamsters have reason to be in a fighting mood. In 2013, when Teamster President Hoffa encouraged the union’s membership to vote to accept a concessionary contract, it barely passed the 50% threshold needed for approval. Regional supplements in 18 locations were voted down. The “Vote No” movement that grew out of these fights united Teamster activists from around the country who wanted to see better leadership.

Read more...