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Harassment an Issue in UPS Bargaining, as Big Brown Becomes Big Brother
Harassment an Issue in UPS Bargaining, as Big Brown Becomes Big BrotherMarch 25, 2013 / Jane Slaughter / Labor Notes
http://www.labornotes.org/2013/03/harassment-issue-ups-bargaining-big-brown-becomes-big-brother
...At the outset of bargaining in September, Hall declared firmly there would be no agreement without addressing Big Brown’s escalating harassment of workers.
This month, he says the same but still gives no specifics about what the union is seeking. Most of the union’s statements have focused instead on the company’s dramatic demand that workers pay a portion of health premiums, $90 a week for family coverage. Hall declares the union won’t concede 9 cents.
Paul Trujillo, a part-time loader and alternate steward in Lexington, Kentucky, says, “UPS has done a very good job of distracting people from the other issues. It’s deliberate. Most of our part-timers don’t even make $90 a week starting out. Now most are willing to give up anything else just to keep their health care—no raises, no anything.”
UPS, the world’s largest parcel delivery company, made $4.38 billion last year. The number of drivers is falling as package volume rises.
“UPS has made record profits in a recession by using harassment and technology to squeeze more work out of a shrinking full-time workforce,” said David Levin of Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU), the reform caucus. “Our focus is on fighting for contract language that will reduce harassment and excessive overtime and make UPS create more full-time jobs instead of working members to death.”
This month, he says the same but still gives no specifics about what the union is seeking. Most of the union’s statements have focused instead on the company’s dramatic demand that workers pay a portion of health premiums, $90 a week for family coverage. Hall declares the union won’t concede 9 cents.
Paul Trujillo, a part-time loader and alternate steward in Lexington, Kentucky, says, “UPS has done a very good job of distracting people from the other issues. It’s deliberate. Most of our part-timers don’t even make $90 a week starting out. Now most are willing to give up anything else just to keep their health care—no raises, no anything.”
UPS, the world’s largest parcel delivery company, made $4.38 billion last year. The number of drivers is falling as package volume rises.
“UPS has made record profits in a recession by using harassment and technology to squeeze more work out of a shrinking full-time workforce,” said David Levin of Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU), the reform caucus. “Our focus is on fighting for contract language that will reduce harassment and excessive overtime and make UPS create more full-time jobs instead of working members to death.”
UPS has forecast that its already beefy profits will rise 6 to 12 percent this year. At a dozen well-attended rallies held around the country in February, Hall reiterated his pledge not to make concessions. Bargaining is expected to wrap up by early April.
This is a long article and there is tons more at the link, including details about the 'Big Brother' aspect - surveillance, firings for vague charges of 'dishonesty', issues with overtime, previous contracts etc.
http://www.labornotes.org/2013/03/harassment-issue-ups-bargaining-big-brown-becomes-big-brother
