UPS offers contract proposals
Negotiations between the United Parcel Service and the Teamsters entered a new stage Wednesday when the company made its initial contract proposals on wages, and pension and health benefits.
Ken Hall, chief negotiator for the union, criticized the proposals for failing to meet the needs of union members.
“While the company has repeatedly stated its desire to complete negotiations prior to the July 31st contract deadline, this offer raises serious questions about their sense of urgency,” he said.
The union presented its proposals last week.
“Now the hard work begins. The hardest part of any negotiation is the money part,” said UPS spokesman Norman Black.
Neither side was willing to discuss details, but Black said, “You have to be glad that both sides have presented their proposals with a month and a half to go” before the current contract expires.
Negotiations are scheduled to continue for the remainder of the week in Washington and next week, as well.
Hall’s criticism seemed relatively tempered, apparently reflecting both the progress that has already been made on supplemental agreements covering local issues as well as “non-economic” issues such as overtime in the national master agreement.
Hall pledged that the union “will continue to work hard to achieve a fair and equitable contract” for its our members, while UPS reiterated its optimism that it will be able to reach “a balanced and fair agreement.”
Both sides are eager to avoid a repeat of the 15-day strike that occurred when the Teamsters’ last contract with UPS expired in 1997. Current negotiations began in late January, but moved at a relatively slow pace until several weeks ago, when representatives from the two sides began meeting almost every day.
