PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Unionized UPS workers with Teamsters Local 623 held a “practice picket” outside of the UPS air hub behind Philadelphia International Airport Thursday night.
The large crowd energized each other with chants, speeches and music, sending a message to UPS as the deadline for a new contract grows closer.
“We’re ready,” said Richard Hooker Jr., secretary-treasurer and principal officer of Teamsters Local 623. “Our members have been through a lot over the past few years. This has been building up because of how they treat our workers. Our members deserve more than what they’re getting.”
There are about 5,000 union members locally, between the UPS air hub and its Oregon Avenue facility. Their regional contract expires at midnight on July 31, the same time as the national deadline.
About 340,000 UPS unionized workers across the country are ready to strike. Ninety-seven percent gave the green light to authorize a strike if a new contract isn’t reached.
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No contract means no workers and a potential ripple effect across the U.S. economy. UPS drivers and sorters — many who are part-time — are also represented by the union.
“We move 6% of the GDP [gross domestic product],” said Hooker. “That’s a lot of work. That’s a lot of deliveries. That’s a lot of food. That’s a lot of baby formula. That’s a lot of Pampers. That’s a lot of COVID vaccines.”
He said the union is asking for an increase in part-time wages and an end to harassment, retaliation and an alleged hostile work environment.
“It’s a lot more than just a paycheck. We want to make sure when we come to work that we don’t die, we don’t get hurt. And if we do get hurt, we won’t be subject to discipline,” he added.
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Hooker said workers are prepared to stop and walkout on Aug. 1 if there is no bargaining agreement.
Earlier this month, negotiations for the national contract between UPS and the union came to a halt. Each side blamed the other for walking away from the table.
In a statement to KYW Newsradio, UPS said: “We have made steady progress in our negotiations with the Teamsters on a wide array of issues. Even so, we are not surprised to see some union members making their voices heard. We plan and expect to reach an agreement on a new contract before the end of July that is a win for our employees, our company and customers, and the union.”
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