Inside the Teamsters' Preparations for a UPS Strike

[OT+]

[Nights]

This writer needs to hit the road for a spell. This article is a rehash of the '97 strike from the TDU perspective, fair enough although it looks lifted . But the title "Inside the Teamster Preparations for a UPS Strike" makes it sound like what Vinnie Perrone and 804 are doing is going on all over the country. Hey Alex N. Press do some home- work you landed in the toughest UPS local in the country and now your extrapolating from an 804 sample. If only.

[Nickjamesups]

I couldn’t agree more ! I haven’t heard of anything like what New York is doing going on anywhere else! This guy Perrone seems to be a leader who knows UPS , he worked there for 30 years , how long did O’Brien work there ?

[Faust]

I couldn’t agree more ! I haven’t heard of anything like what New York is doing going on anywhere else! This guy Perrone seems to be a leader who knows UPS , he worked there for 30 years , how long did O’Brien work there ?

O'Brien never worked at UPS. He worked for a minute at Massport.

[Nickjamesups]

Carey worked for UPS as his dad had , he knew what this company was capable of doing to workers. O’Brien should put Perrone in charge he knows UPS.

[Gimme_Danger]

Carey worked for UPS as his dad had , he knew what this company was capable of doing to workers. O’Brien should put Perrone in charge he knows UPS.

Perrone is East Region Package Division Director. That's pretty high up the food chain.

O'Brien worked construction. Zuckerman worked a few jobs, including carhaul.
There were many who wanted Fred Z to lead negotiations even though he never worked at UPS. They'll both lead negotiations.

I want a lead negotiator to know what they are doing in negotiations and listen to the committee for any company-specific details. Where they worked isn't my top concern as long as the important issues get addressed.

[Nickjamesups]

I want a lead negotiator who has had a personal experience dealing in an adversarial environment with the company . Someone who knows their capacity for being abhorrent and vicious. As opposed to someone who meets the company at panels and goes to Red Sox games with company big shots or attends scholarship golf outings and Texas hold ‘em tournaments in Vegas . Mike Rosentrader ( UPS chairman at panels and negotiations) seems to have had a warm close relationship with some of our “ leaders”

[Koldiww]

Just going to give a prediction here. Everyone who knows anything from the inside of the "97 strike know that it was about to fall apart in many parts of the country. Not only did the RTW states only have about 40% participation, PTers were crossing or getting ready to cross all over the country. If there are honest people out there, they will confirm. UPS knows, the IBT knows, especially Zuckerman, that the Union doesn't have two weeks or maybe not 10 days. If UPS decides once and for all to take on the IBT, it could be a disaster. So, if there is anyone with a brain in the IBT (meaning TDU strategist and the Chief of staff who has never been a Teamster) they will figure out how to bullshit the members. One scenario: tell the members that the 22.4 is negotiated away, (the company not using it in most areas) claim victory, and get a decent raise, give up a lot of language, especially in the Cadillac supplements like in the West, giving the company the flexibility they need to stay competitive and at the top of the heap, enabling them to continue to pay better than anyone else, and do this after a very quick strike. Maybe start it on a Friday, fake bargain all weekend, declare victory on Sunday night, put the TDU propaganda machine to work, and send everyone back to work on Monday pending a contract vote. Remember, only 48% actually voted last contract, meaning only 25% voted against the contract. A short strike will bullshit some to think they won, cause others relief, and more members will vote to accept a big raise and not give a shit about the rest. All UPSers are pissed off, but most know they do well, and can't replicate the income and benefits anywhere else. Their mortgages, their boat and RV payments, etc, will take over. Just one person's opinion...

[Nickjamesups]

BTW, neither of were teamsters , the TDU strategist nor the chief of staff . Perhaps they are paying dues now .

[Truthspeaker]

I agree with 99% of your prediction.

[Hiway80]

Impossible scenario, although only based on timing. OZ has said over and over August 1, no contract, ,no work. August 1 is a Tuesday making a two day weekend strike an impossibility. Surely our leadership has checked a calendar.

[Nickjamesups]

You are 100% correct ! UPS will throw a lot of money at us to get the votes of those who you have mentioned . Most members will be very relieved to not strike or have a brief moment of “ standing up “ to the company . The real agreement has probably all ready been settled between the spin doctors and the company . There were probably Red Sox tickets in the deal . Be assured a great victory will be claimed !

[Faust]

Carol will offer the same deal the aircraft mechanics got which was 3.3% in GWI and 13.5% in pension. Which is about $7 over 5 years and $3 in pension. O'Brien will claim it as victory when we all know $7 is below inflation.

Unfortunately all the members that live pay check to pay check and afraid to strike will vote Yes.

[Guest]

Just going to give a prediction here. Everyone who knows anything from the inside of the "97 strike know that it was about to fall apart in many parts of the country. Not only did the RTW states only have about 40% participation, PTers were crossing or getting ready to cross all over the country. If there are honest people out there, they will confirm. UPS knows, the IBT knows, especially Zuckerman, that the Union doesn't have two weeks or maybe not 10 days. If UPS decides once and for all to take on the IBT, it could be a disaster. So, if there is anyone with a brain in the IBT (meaning TDU strategist and the Chief of staff who has never been a Teamster) they will figure out how to bullshit the members. One scenario: tell the members that the 22.4 is negotiated away, (the company not using it in most areas) claim victory, and get a decent raise, give up a lot of language, especially in the Cadillac supplements like in the West, giving the company the flexibility they need to stay competitive and at the top of the heap, enabling them to continue to pay better than anyone else, and do this after a very quick strike. Maybe start it on a Friday, fake bargain all weekend, declare victory on Sunday night, put the TDU propaganda machine to work, and send everyone back to work on Monday pending a contract vote. Remember, only 48% actually voted last contract, meaning only 25% voted against the contract. A short strike will bullshit some to think they won, cause others relief, and more members will vote to accept a big raise and not give a shit about the rest. All UPSers are pissed off, but most know they do well, and can replicate the income and benefits anywhere else. Their mortgages, their boat and RV payments, etc, will take over. Just one person's opinion...

Explain all the UPS bashing then. Perhaps you are giving crying OBrien too much credit. If we don’t start turning around our image at ups (and now yellow) the teamsters will be toast. No one will want to organize with a union that takes every issue public and is completely incapable of even handling the most basic grievances without crying foul.

These jack offs forget that members want to be treated fairly, like their employer and love their union.

We are just a whining, ineffective, big mouthed teamsters loser union rather than an effective, movement driven organizing machine.

[Koldiww]

UPS bashing is part of the game. UPS will lose a little business toward the end of the negotiations, as they always do, but the postering is part of the deal. A lot of theatrics in any negotiation, but especially with the contract that Obrian needs to claim victory with. UPS will play along with the bravado bs to get their way on the things they need. All part of the script. If they don't have the foundation of a deal by now, they are incompetent idiots. Any competent negotiator would have the basics agreed to. If UPS for instance, isn't willing to do this behind the scenes; I would be really worried that they have made some decisions to take the IBT on. If that happens, I feel bad for the members who just want a fair deal and to be treated decently.

[Truthspeaker]

The bashing is a tactic to distract the members , talk tough , make the idea of a strike the issue , create a frenzy . There needs to be a real campaign that addresses the needs of the members. Have the contract surveys been released ?