UPS workers’ union leader explains what’s at stake as strike edges closer

Workers for UPS are edging closer to a strike after a breakdown in talks between the supply large and the Teamsters union representing its workers. Both facets have accused every different of strolling clear of negotiations.

A walkout would have ripple results throughout all of the economic system, with the corporate using 340,000 staff who ship thousands and thousands of applications each day. The price of the products it delivers yearly has been estimated at 6% of the U.S. economic system.

UPS staff are negotiating for higher pay and the removing of a two-tier salary machine for part-time and full-time staff. Sean O’Brien, common president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, spoke to “GMA3” about what’s at stake.

DEMARCO MORGAN: Sean, excellent to look you. Thanks for being with us. So UPS is announcing you guys walked clear of the desk. You’re announcing UPS walked clear of the desk. What took place and what’s incorrect?

SEAN O’BRIEN: Well, UPS can inform their tale. We know the actual tale at 4:15 a.m., July 5, once we’re seeking to get a deal, we are very shut, they stated that they had not more to present they usually in reality walked away. And that is why we are right here at the moment. We’re seeking to make sure that they know how vital this battle is for our 340,000 individuals that delivered items and services and products throughout the hardest instances we’ve got noticed [in the] pandemic.

EVA PILGRIM: What must occur to forestall this?

O’BRIEN: Well glance, I imply, our part-timers at UPS are operating for poverty wages. Some of them are unmarried moms, unmarried dads operating loopy hours. And glance, everyone loves the UPS drivers, who paintings extraordinarily exhausting. But the ones applications don’t get on the ones vehicles with out the ones part-timers. And, you realize, UPS has the chance at the moment to do the appropriate factor, as a result of they may be able to set the tone on how it’s to praise their workers who’ve made them the good fortune that they’re. I imply, they made $100 billion with a B, and our individuals deserve to harvest the ones advantages as neatly.

MORGAN: And talking of section time, Sean, you might have referred to as part-time employee wages, part-time poverty. Let’s glance at some numbers. UPS tells us that on reasonable, they pay their drivers $95,000 a yr with advantages and part-time staff get $20 an hour with well being care eligibility, pension plans. Why do you name this part-time poverty?

O’BRIEN: Because they are no longer telling the real tale. $93,000 for a full-timer is correct, however they are operating 60, 65 hours. It’s an especially difficult task. And while you communicate in regards to the part-timers, their part-time salary fee at the moment is set $16 in keeping with hour. UPS is selective. They select and select on who they’ll pay, what house, and they may be able to lift the charges.

We need to determine a livable beginning salary for part-timers, but in addition make sure that we praise the ones part-timers who paintings throughout the pandemic. We misplaced individuals as a results of going to paintings when there have been no vaccinations, no protections. And all of the whilst, final analysis in their steadiness sheet stored rising and rising and rising.

We need to be rewarded. There was once no danger pay. There wasn’t the rest rather than those other folks, our individuals, 340,000, offering items and services and products to stay this nation working.

PILGRIM: And we had been all ordering all of the applications as a result of other folks did not need to cross out. UPS issued this observation announcing partially, “The Teamsters have stopped negotiating despite historic proposals that build on our industry-leading pay…refusing to negotiate, especially when the finish line is in sight, create significant unease among employees and customers, and threatens to disrupt the U.S. economy.”

O’BRIEN: We don’t seem to be refusing to barter. They know what we wish. They know what our individuals want. And if UPS reasons a strike, it will be on UPS. I imply, they’ll self-inflict those wounds on themselves. Our individuals are the most efficient within the industry. They give you the highest services and products. And it is disgrace on UPS. They have a chance at the moment to do the appropriate factor and be the fashion employer for all of the United States.

MORGAN: Can you communicate in regards to the issues that you have been listening to from probably the most Teamsters themselves?

O’BRIEN: Well, I imply, most commonly it is the wages. I imply, glance, UPS is an excessively tricky task. We’ve made important growth in negotiations. We’ve been negotiating since January. But it is important salary will increase for the part-timers, however extra importantly, dignity and admire within the place of business.

PILGRIM: What will get you guys again to the desk? Is there one thing that should occur?

O’BRIEN: UPS simply has to select up the telephone, let us know they’ll conform to what our final analysis is and so they know what our final analysis is. We’ve been very clear in those negotiations, and so they know what must occur.