[PEN-L:11465] Latest from IBT on UPS Bargaining

[Michael Eisenscher <meisenscher@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

These memos are forwarded from the Teamsters' Communications Dept. with a
request that they be widely circulated.
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Subject: July 24, 1997 Teamsters UPS Update

     Teamsters UPS Update                                   July 24, 1997


     Negotiations Continue
     On Thursday, July 24, our Teamsters National Negotiating Committee
     presented UPS with a comprehensive set of proposals on economic issues
     -- including wages, health and welfare benefits, and pensions.

     For the past several days of talks, UPS negotiators had refused to
     consider our national negotiating committee's proposals.  Instead,
     they insisted on talking about a package the company put on the table
     on Tuesday, July 22.

     Management's proposal package contains mostly retreads of demands they
     have already made.

     "The company's attitude in the past few days put up a stone wall at
     the table," said Teamsters Parcel Division Director Ken Hall.

     "It's time for the company to respond to our proposals."

     [out quote]
     "The unity of Teamster UPS members in every corner of the country is
     keeping the pressure on management to listen to our concerns."
          -- Teamsters General President Ron Carey


     A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing --
     The Truth About Management's Proposal Package
     As we have done since day one, we're continuing to stay focused on our
     priorities -- measuring management proposals by how well they deal
     with the key issues that members have said they want addressed in this
     contract.

     Management's proposal package doesn't measure up:

     ** Teamster Issue: Subcontracting. **
     Management's "retread" proposal:  UPS's proposal package would
     continue to give the company the ability to subcontract work.

     ** Teamster Issue: More full-time jobs. **
     Management's "trick" proposal:  UPS's proposal package appears to
     address this issue by promising to promote part-timers to full-time
     positions -- but it would only create 200 new full-time jobs per year.

     ** Teamster Issue: Better wages and benefits. **
     Management's "sugar-coated" proposal: UPS's package would put money
     into bonuses that should go into increases in base pay that would
     continue to increase the pay and benefits of Teamster UPSers for years
     to come.  In addition, the company continues to demand that members
     turn over their pensions and benefits to company-controlled plans.

     ** Teamster Issue: Job safety and health. **
     Management's "retread" proposal: Management's package recycles the
     same inadequate health and safety proposals they've been making all
     along -- with few meaningful changes to improve  safety on the job.

     Tell UPS management that tricks and gimmicks won't work.  No one is
     fooled by the new clothes they're trying to put on their old
     proposals.


     UPS Forced To Pay Entire $7 Million COLA Increase To Part-Timers
     A neutral arbitrator has agreed with the Teamsters that UPS must
     provide back pay to every part-timer hired in the first two years of
     the 1990 contract who did not receive a 16 cent per hour cost of
     living raise after completing their two-year progression.

     After a Teamster victory on this issue in arbitration last year, UPS
     only awarded back pay to those part-timers who were hired during the
     first year of the contract period.

     As a result of the new ruling, the company must now provide back pay
     to part-timers hired in the second year of the contract as well.  This
     includes part-timers hired from August 1, 1991 to July 31, 1992 who
     did not receive the COLA increase upon completion of their two-year
     progression.

     The entire backpay award totals more than $7 million.
=================================================

Subject: July 25, 1997 Teamsters UPS Update

     Teamsters UPS Update                                   July 25, 1997


     UPS CALLS CUSTOMERS INSTEAD OF SETTLING THE CONTRACT
     UPS is spending time and money this week calling its customers to warn
     them that the company can't guarantee delivery after July 31.

     It seems like an odd way to run a business.  Why would UPS want to
     scare away its own customers a full week before the contract expires?

     The answer, of course, is that management wants to scare Teamster
     UPSers with the threat of customer loss and layoffs -- and then try to
     put the blame on us.

     "The blame game UPS is playing is ridiculous," said Teamsters General
     President Ron Carey.  "We're not calling UPS's customers -- UPS is.

     "The company can 'guarantee delivery' to customers after July 31 by
     making a real effort to address our issues right now."

     One reason UPS can afford to call customers is it knows most of them
     have no  other company to turn to in the event of a strike.  According
     to the Journal of Commerce (7/25/97), "the volume of packages UPS
     handles could make finding alternatives difficult."


     LOCAL ACTIONS SHOW OUR UNITY
     As the clock winds down, Teamster UPSers around the country continue
     to take action to fight for a good contract.

     * 'Round the Clock Rally -- Hundreds of UPS Teamsters in Local 690
     staged a 29-hour vigil at the entrance gate of UPS's facility in
     Spokane, Washington -- complete with a homemade clock, music, and
     "power marches" in the parking lot.

     "I've endured enough from this company over 21 years," said Marlene
     Jensen, a 21-year package car driver who rallied at the terminal until
     2 a.m.  "We stand united and we're going to do whatever it takes to
     get what we want."

     The vigil was the top story on the evening news in Spokane.

     * Unity Rally -- 75 Teamster UPS members in Local 828 showed their
     support Wednesday at the UPS facility in Mason City, Iowa.  Mason
     City's newspaper covered the Teamster action with a front page
     article.

     * Fighting For the Future -- Many UPSers in Jacksonville Local 512
     brought their kids and families to a recent "contract update" meeting
     and rally.

     Call the International Union Field Services Department at (202)
     624-6928 to keep the UPS Update posted on actions and rallies by
     Teamster UPSers in your area.


     CAREY MEETS WITH TEAMSTER BENEFIT FUND MANAGERS
     TO SEEK IMPROVEMENTS
     In a recent meeting with Teamster health and welfare and pension fund
     union trustees and some of the fund managers, Teamsters General
     President Ron Carey emphasized the importance of making significant
     improvements to Teamster plans.

     While the union negotiates employer contributions to the funds,
     trustees and fund managers decide the benefit levels.

     UPS wants to force all Teamster UPSers to turn over their health and
     welfare benefits and pensions to company-controlled plans.

     At the meeting, all the managers agreed to cooperate with President
     Carey to give him the information and support necessary to negotiate
     contributions to provide members with the best possible Teamster
     benefits.