Teamsters Normal President Sean O’Brien tore into UPS on Sunday as he pumped up provide drivers and completely different staff in Boston ahead of nationwide contract negotiations, warning the supply massive that the employees are “not afraid” to strike.
O’Brien and completely different Teamsters officers rallied union staff in Charlestown whereas they gear up for the start of nationwide negotiations impacting higher than 340,000 package deal deal provide drivers and warehouse logistics staff all through the nation.
“We’ve 15 days earlier than we go sit throughout the desk from this white collar crime syndicate generally known as United Parcel Service,” O’Brien said by means of the rally at Teamsters Native 25.
“We’re not going to take and settle for what UPS offers us,” he added. “We’re going to demand, take and punish in the event that they don’t give us what we would like transferring ahead.”
The Teamsters’ nationwide grasp settlement with UPS is a very powerful private-sector collective bargaining settlement inside the nation. Negotiations for a model new deal begin on April 17 in Washington, D.C., and the current contract expires on July 31.
“We’re going to set the tone for organized labor,” O’Brien said. “If you happen to’re a pipefitter, should you’re a plumber, should you’re a bus driver, what we do in these negotiations goes to set the tone for the complete nation, the complete labor motion transferring ahead.”
UPS Teamsters are trying to find a contract that ensures larger pay for workers, additional full-time job options, security from heat and completely different workplace hazards, and further.
“All they (UPS) care about is the underside line of their steadiness sheet,” O’Brien said. “Our wages stayed the identical, in some circumstances they went down, however their steadiness sheet stored increasing. They made $100 billion off the pandemic, $100 billion with a B. And what did we get? We acquired nothing. Nicely, that’s going to vary April 17.”
The essential president said he’s been going as a lot as Capitol Hill each single day, chatting with politicians regarding the supply-chain factors.
“July thirty first, when Massive Brown is shut down, you’re going to see supply-chain answer come to a halt,” O’Brien said, leading to an unlimited cheer and applause from the union staff. “And what? We’re not afraid to do it. We’re not afraid to do it.”
The Teamsters have higher than $300 million in its strike fund.
“If we don’t have the contract that you just guys need by August the first, we’re not working no extra,” said Teamsters Normal Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “We’ll proceed to barter with the company, nonetheless there gained’t be a UPS specific individual engaged on August the primary if we don’t have what we want.
“I can guarantee you that we’ll handle you guys,” he added. “We’ve over $300 million in our strike fund, and we’ll spend each penny of it to make it possible for UPS staff get what they need on this contract.”
O’Brien in his closing assertion said he has a message for UPS and for any employer.
“Primary: Watch what’s going to occur as a result of should you don’t need this to occur to you, begin behaving accordingly,” he said. “Two: If you tackle 1.3 million Teamsters, 360,000 UPS staff, it’s a full-contact sport. Put your helmets on and buckle your chin straps. It’s on.”
UPS didn’t immediately reply to the touch upon Sunday.
