US facing greatest strike 350,000 UPS employees have demanded better working conditions, despite the fact that package delivery drivers already earn $95,000 annually.
On July 31, 2023, UPS’s contract will expire, and 350,000 of its 534,000 employees are anticipated to go on strike to seek improved working conditions.
They are requesting air conditioning in the cabs of their trucks, increased wages, and perks.
Already earning over $95,000 per year, UPS drivers receive an additional $50,000 in benefits.
Nonetheless, the average compensation is approximately $44,000, which is much greater than Amazon and FedEx.
UPS is the sole carrier with the capacity to deliver 21.5 million parcels per day and controls almost six percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.
If the workers go on strike, it will be the company’s first strike since 1997.
Even though delivery drivers already make $95,000 per year, 350,000 UPS workers are planning to protest for better working conditions, creating the largest strike in US history.
On July 31, 2023, UPS’s contract will expire, and 350,000 of its 534,000 employees are anticipated to go on strike to seek improved working conditions.
Several workers have been wounded or lost their lives as a result of the extreme heat, prompting the Teamsters to demand air conditioning in the back of trucks, as well as improved compensation and benefits.
If the workers go on strike, it will be the first time since 1997, when employees demanded full-time positions and the union sought to keep control of the pension fund, that the company has seen a strike.
Experts in labor believe that unionized workers will go on strike sometime in the spring while the contract is being discussed, and that the walkout will effect the entire nation.
According to Parcel, the 15-day strike in 1997 impacted 80 percent of shipments and cost UPS $780 million.
UPS now controls almost six percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, and the company has hired 72,000 unionized jobs since 2020 in response to the pandemic’s explosion of online retail activity.
CNN Business reports that UPS moves over 21.5 million parcels each day, but FedEx and Amazon do not have the capacity to manage that many packages.
On July 31, 2023, UPS’s contract will expire, and 350,000 of its 534,000 employees are anticipated to go on strike to seek improved working conditions (pictured: NYC workers)
President Sean O’Brien, who was elected by emphasizing the UPS contract, has reminded members that there is a $300 million strike fund to support payroll while they are on strike. He also plans to demand higher pay and benefits, as well as air conditioning in the rear of trucks.
UPS stated in a statement that it desires a peaceful resolution that “provides wins for our employees and gives UPS the flexibility to remain competitive in an industry that is continuously evolving.”
UPS and the Teamsters have collaborated for over a century to address the needs of UPS employees, customers, and the communities in which we live. We think we will continue to find common ground with the Teamsters and reach a mutually beneficial arrangement,’ the company said in a CNN Business-reported statement.
Since 2018, after the latest contract was ratified by former Teamster president James Hoffa, tensions between the corporation and its employees have increased. CNN Business reports that the vote was implemented because not enough workers supported the vote to launch a walkout.
President Sean O’Brien, who was elected by emphasizing the UPS deal, has reminded striking workers that there is a $300 million strike fund to meet wages.
“Do our members wake up each morning desiring a strike?” I’d say no. But are they exhausted? Yes, they have had enough, O’Brien told CNN Business. ‘Whether or if a strike occurs is entirely up to the company. We will use as much leverage as possible to secure the contract that our members deserve.
According to CNN Business, UPS drivers already earn over $95,000 annually and receive an additional $50,000 in perks. Semi-truck drivers earn significantly more.
According to YouTuber Laos House, who works for UPS, starting compensation at the company is between $2 and $5 more than that of its competitors.
The company’s average delivery driver apparently earns approximately $95,000 per year, while the average pay is approximately $44,452. UPS pays far more than its rivals
According to reports, the mega-company begins at $22 per hour in New Jersey, compared to $17 with FedEx ground. Amazon and the United States Postal Service follow at $18 per hour, followed by FedEx Express at $20 per hour.
In New Jersey, its maximum salary of $38 per hour apparently exceeds that of other companies, which pay between $6 and $14 per hour.
According to Business Insider, the median income at UPS is $44,254, whereas Amazon’s is $29,000 and FedEx’s is $49,000.
UPS’s chief executive officer, Carol Tome, stated that the business’s contracts are competitive for labour shortages and that the company seeks a “win-win” solution.
CNN Business reports that UPS is also drafting contingency measures in case workers do go on strike.