UPS Freight resumes after workers approve contract and avoid strike



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UPS Inc. and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have approved a new five-year contract, preventing 11,600 UPS cargo workers from going on strike as the Atlanta-based company heads to the peak period of its shipping expedition. l & # 39; year.

The current contract had been extended several times and was due to expire on 12 November at 12:01 last week. Last week, UPS introduced what it said was its last, best and last offer. The union members approved the pact by a vote of 6,935 to 2,067 (77% in favor and 23% against), as they voted in the local union halls from November 7th to 11th. Eighty-four percent of the workers represented in the bargaining unit voted.

PREVIOUSLY: UPS frees the freight network and warns of a possible strike.

"We are delighted that the UPS Freight agreement has been ratified," UPS said in a statement. "This agreement rewards our employees for their contribution to the success of the company while allowing UPS to remain competitive.

"We will resume normal operations and immediately accept the new volume of UPS Freight customers. Our teams started contacting customers after ratification. We thank our customers for their patience and loyalty. "

Specific details of the agreement were not disclosed, but Transport Topics had learned that the union wanted UPS to address workers' concerns about more restrictions on outsourcing and pay protection. drivers performing work at the dock.

UPS and the Teamsters were at the bargaining table for most of the summer. In early October, an agreement in principle was reached with UPS Freight, but union members rejected the proposed contract by a large majority, forcing the parties to resume negotiations.

On November 8, UPS Freight stopped shipping and began shutting down this division in anticipation of a strike as it emptied its freight network. The company said it will resume transportation operations and be in good shape as the holidays approach.

"Customers can remain confident that UPS is ready to continue serving UPS Freight and UPS parcels during the holiday season and beyond," the statement said.

The freight division mainly ships heavier goods and bulk shipments that move on pallets.

UPS Freight is significantly smaller than its parcel division, which has more than 250,000 parcel managers, parcel managers and sorters. A new contract for this unit has been ratified and is in effect for five years. If there had been a strike, it would be the first time at UPS since the summer of 1997, when the Teamsters had stopped working for 16 days.

The freight unit represents about 5% of UPS sales and has the lowest profit margin.

UPS ranks first among the top 100 third-party freight transportation companies on all transportation issues in North America.

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