UPS Drivers To Demonstrate Against 70-Hour Work Week

[left-of-center2012]

BOSTON (CBS) — UPS drivers are planning to demonstrate against a 70-hour work week during the holiday season.

The Teamsters Locals said UPS “is forcing a 70-hour week for drivers” which is “a nationwide issue jeopardizing the safety of drivers and the general public.”

UPS failed to plan ahead and hire seasonal drivers for the holidays, said the Teamsters, and instead increased the hours of regular workers to compensate.

“Teamster who usually show up for work 45 minutes early will instead demonstrate against the unfair move by management this holiday season.”

In a statement, UPS said the company “appreciates the exceptional effort of all employees during our peak holiday shipping season, when daily delivery volumes are near double the normal level.”

“Our employees’ scheduled work week is in compliance with Department of Transportation requirements,” the company said. “Union-represented employees are paid time and one-half for work above 40 hours per week and they receive the industry’s most attractive compensation and benefits program.”

They also said, “the company hires an additional 95,000 personnel to work on our facilities and as driver helpers.”

The union demands UPS “cease and desist from any implementation of a 70-hour work week.”

If they fail to do so, the Teamsters threatened legal action.

Service will not be impacted.

“No package or bottom line of a balance sheet is more important than the safety and well-being of our members and the general public we serve,” said Sean O’Brien, president of Teamsters Local 25.

According to UPS, between Thanksgiving and December 31, they will deliver 750 million packages.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/12/04/ups-drivers-against-70-hour-week/

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Teamsters will be a chapter in history books soon.

GOP hates working people, really really hates them

[guillaumeb]

2. In 2017, a 70 hour forced workweek!!

Taking back the country indeed, to 1870. Can child labor be next?

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Teamsters and UPS are

not going away any time soon. If anyone things otherwise,not going to happen.
in fact Membership is actually increasing monthly with new Houses be organized each and every month. This 70 hour thing had been around decades ago. It never worked then and it will never work know. Accidents increase and worker injuries go off the charts.

And UPS has the Records form their own in-house Hours and Labor Studies to prove what happens with this type of Mandatory Garbage. Retirements are not being replaced in a timely manner.

[MichMan]

4. Either the current contract allows it or it doesn't

The current contract either allows 70 hr work weeks or it doesn't. If so, shame on the Teamsters for agreeing to it, if not UPS will be blocked from implementing it

[Tipperary]

5. This is interesting to read. When I was younger, I had a good friend who drove for UPS.

He actually looked forward to the holiday season because he wanted the overtime. I no longer work an hourly job, but back in the day when I did, I too was an avid OT worker. I always volunteered! But no one should be forced to work OP.