The Teamsters Union, representing American workers at United Parcel Service (UPS.N), is responding to the firing of about 35 newly organized workers in the delivery company by filing complaints about unfair labor practices and a potential strike.
Organizing New Workers at UPS
The Teamsters Union announced that around thirteen skilled and administrative workers at the UPS center in Louisville, Kentucky, have organized with Teamsters Local 89 this fall.
UPS Statement and Union Response
UPS stated in a release that a few employees are being laid off at its Louisville delivery center to align staffing with business needs. The company affirmed that it respects its employees’ rights to organize and has not engaged in any unfair labor practices.
Statement from Teamsters President
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien stated that UPS has fired these workers despite an independent arbitrator’s ruling and falsely claimed that their work should be performed by management. O’Brien added that if UPS does not act properly, a strike will occur. He emphasized that the union will not hesitate to act and will not back down.
UPS’s Commitment to the Signed Contract
UPS confirmed that the signed contract covering the workers represented by the Teamsters Union remains in effect. It added that it is committed to working with the Teamsters Union to resolve this separate issue with a few employees at the Louisville center and does not expect any disruptions in its operations in Louisville.
Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Jamie Freed
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