Part timer demands for $25 base pay- and organizing Part-timers- matters. Here’s why

[chunks]

Teamsters International leadership delivered a contract the membership didn’t want last time, and then got their asses voted out- for good reason.

Conventional wisdom is, “Part-timers don’t vote.”

Part-timers, making up 60% of UPS Teamsters, are mad as hell that their wages yo-yo with the MRAs handed down with no notice by the company. Every part-timer engaged in my hub expects the bargaining committee to fight for $25, which is frankly low. Fuck the $20 base pay test balloons, fuck the lower your expectations speeches.


Let’s be crystal clear about leadership at the local and joint council level doing everything in their power to fail to organize workers to be strike ready. And let’s be clear about failures at the international level to do the organizing required to get locals and joint councils strike ready.

Nearly every structure test-parking lot rally, signature gathering, contract action training, tabling, practice picket- the local reaches out to a short list of workers. They don’t email or text everyone who signed the contract unity pledge locally, for example, or from who attended the union meetings, or contract action training. They purposefully refuse to widely call on membership for any reason. As a part timer I have never received a message from my union encouraging me to participate in any of nearly 10 structure tests since the $5 dues strike fund increase in 2022- and that one was because they are legally required to inform membership. The Strike Authorization vote was originally scheduled by the local as two hours on Saturday and Sunday at the union hall, a 30-minute drive in good traffic, until rank-and-file pushed back.


Nearly every structure test feels like the local checking a box on a worksheet entitled, “the minimum required so that the international doesn’t feel like we’re making them look bad.”


I’m sure some directives from the international have come with short turn-around, and locals with understaffing struggle to meet expectations. But not every fucking time. I’ve actually volunteered as a labor organizer and helped workers organize to win a union and then to win a first contract. Watching this effort currently suggests what most people know: way too many Teamsters locals leaders don’t value organizing and only understand a spigot mobilization model- which is not how you build to strike readiness.


If the conventional wisdom is Part-timers don’t vote, just you watch as Part-timers and many other rank-and-file vote down any TA that feels like the bargaining committee decided that Part-timers aren’t workers deserving of the best base pay in US-based logistics, period. Part-timers were and are ready to stand and fight for an end to 22-4 two tiers, and fight for other classifications. Any hint that the TA plan is to take the L on Part-time wages, then you might as well have spent those weeks in strike prep because it is going to get voted down.


There are tons of part-timers who want better, and who are organizing despite the efforts of local leadership to chill turnout and engagement. There are tons of drivers, full-time insiders, and other classifications that support and have solidarity with part-timers.


Teamsters spent decades turtling and not organizing to strike readiness and saw losses. Attrition. Weak contracts. Sean OBrien’s message of fighting for more, and push to move Teamsters towards strike readiness as an organization is to be commended. But now it is time to be brave and focused and actually organize to win a strike- whether or not we go out. Now is the time to pull in your part timers and show them how you fight for everyone.


Let’s get an amazing TA. Let’s be ready as we can be to strike, despite the rustiness of this machine and unwillingness of elected officers to fight for more than scraps. But any more social media plays by the international to lower expectations and PR money to hide poor organizing is wearing thin. It’s not a good look with the many part-timers I talk to, every day in the parking lot after my shifts, and at break, and in text chats. That’s why rank-and-filers in my local- many of them part-timers like myself- printed and handed out nearly a hundred strike ready t-shirts. That’s why we’ll be out at local businesses asking them to put strike support signs in their windows, and high visibility houses to put up yard signs supporting UPS workers. That’s why we’re telling our union siblings we want $25 base pay, and have shared and used the $25 petition. You know- all the things our local leadership is not remotely interested in doing. Part-timers are fighting to maybe afford their rent and cost of living expenses that are through the roof. Time for leadership to step up and hold the line.

[Davis]

This should be copied, screenshot and distributed. Fight for $25.

[Thisischange?]

Teamsters International leadership delivered a contract the membership didn’t want last time, and then got their asses voted out- for good reason.

Conventional wisdom is, “Part-timers don’t vote.”

Part-timers, making up 60% of UPS Teamsters, are mad as hell that their wages yo-yo with the MRAs handed down with no notice by the company. Every part-timer engaged in my hub expects the bargaining committee to fight for $25, which is frankly low. Fuck the $20 base pay test balloons, fuck the lower your expectations speeches.


Let’s be crystal clear about leadership at the local and joint council level doing everything in their power to fail to organize workers to be strike ready. And let’s be clear about failures at the international level to do the organizing required to get locals and joint councils strike ready.

Nearly every structure test-parking lot rally, signature gathering, contract action training, tabling, practice picket- the local reaches out to a short list of workers. They don’t email or text everyone who signed the contract unity pledge locally, for example, or from who attended the union meetings, or contract action training. They purposefully refuse to widely call on membership for any reason. As a part timer I have never received a message from my union encouraging me to participate in any of nearly 10 structure tests since the $5 dues strike fund increase in 2022- and that one was because they are legally required to inform membership. The Strike Authorization vote was originally scheduled by the local as two hours on Saturday and Sunday at the union hall, a 30-minute drive in good traffic, until rank-and-file pushed back.


Nearly every structure test feels like the local checking a box on a worksheet entitled, “the minimum required so that the international doesn’t feel like we’re making them look bad.”


I’m sure some directives from the international have come with short turn-around, and locals with understaffing struggle to meet expectations. But not every fucking time. I’ve actually volunteered as a labor organizer and helped workers organize to win a union and then to win a first contract. Watching this effort currently suggests what most people know: way too many Teamsters locals leaders don’t value organizing and only understand a spigot mobilization model- which is not how you build to strike readiness.


If the conventional wisdom is Part-timers don’t vote, just you watch as Part-timers and many other rank-and-file vote down any TA that feels like the bargaining committee decided that Part-timers aren’t workers deserving of the best base pay in US-based logistics, period. Part-timers were and are ready to stand and fight for an end to 22-4 two tiers, and fight for other classifications. Any hint that the TA plan is to take the L on Part-time wages, then you might as well have spent those weeks in strike prep because it is going to get voted down.


There are tons of part-timers who want better, and who are organizing despite the efforts of local leadership to chill turnout and engagement. There are tons of drivers, full-time insiders, and other classifications that support and have solidarity with part-timers.


Teamsters spent decades turtling and not organizing to strike readiness and saw losses. Attrition. Weak contracts. Sean OBrien’s message of fighting for more, and push to move Teamsters towards strike readiness as an organization is to be commended. But now it is time to be brave and focused and actually organize to win a strike- whether or not we go out. Now is the time to pull in your part timers and show them how you fight for everyone.


Let’s get an amazing TA. Let’s be ready as we can be to strike, despite the rustiness of this machine and unwillingness of elected officers to fight for more than scraps. But any more social media plays by the international to lower expectations and PR money to hide poor organizing is wearing thin. It’s not a good look with the many part-timers I talk to, every day in the parking lot after my shifts, and at break, and in text chats. That’s why rank-and-filers in my local- many of them part-timers like myself- printed and handed out nearly a hundred strike ready t-shirts. That’s why we’ll be out at local businesses asking them to put strike support signs in their windows, and high visibility houses to put up yard signs supporting UPS workers. That’s why we’re telling our union siblings we want $25 base pay, and have shared and used the $25 petition. You know- all the things our local leadership is not remotely interested in doing. Part-timers are fighting to maybe afford their rent and cost of living expenses that are through the roof. Time for leadership to step up and hold the line.

STRAIGHT UP TRUTH, It's spoken like a true rank and filer, who is tired of the shit sandwich they have been fed over and over. 25 DOLLARS or NO!!!

[ReadytoStrike]

Solidarity all around. $25 to start or we walk!

[Sean804]

25 Dollers or NO.

[Gimme_Danger]

Is this just at your Local? Sounds like an uneven experience of locals getting members ready for a potential strike?

[UPS909Strong]

This is exactly how the Teamsters operate. They yell and scream about mobilizing members, but they want to keep you in the dark. Why is it that we had to sign NDAs where we can't show members what we're are proposing. How come Sean or any other Union officials hasn't said or shown what the wage proposal is for part timers that was presented to the Company by the Union? You know why? Because you all would be pissed that they are proposing 20 bucks for part timers. They are hoping part timers get frustrated, don't vote and quit. They talk tough about part timers but they are working on behalf of the full timers. Why is UPS still allowed to hand out MRAs whenever they want?

[Gimme_Danger]

You know this to be a fact? Show us the proof of your allegations.

[UPS909Strong]

I'm in the fckng room. You are in for a wakeup call. This is going to be like 2018 again

[Gimme_Danger]

Now you're lying. The issue is an unacceptable offer for part timers from the company.

[Faust]

This is exactly how the Teamsters operate. They yell and scream about mobilizing members, but they want to keep you in the dark. Why is it that we had to sign NDAs where we can't show members what we're are proposing. How come Sean or any other Union officials hasn't said or shown what the wage proposal is for part timers that was presented to the Company by the Union? You know why? Because you all would be pissed that they are proposing 20 bucks for part timers. They are hoping part timers get frustrated, don't vote and quit. They talk tough about part timers but they are working on behalf of the full timers. Why is UPS still allowed to hand out MRAs whenever they want?

Was the starting wage brought up at least to $20?

[UPS909Strong]

Yes it was. The Committee is aware of the 25 hourly movement but they believe that it's unreasonable

[unionenjoyer]

i'm really proud to have been organizing part-timer for almost a year now and elevating the demand for $25/hr. The moment really does demand it

[Koldiww]

I can't speak for other areas of the country, but part timers average less than 5 years in the West.The craziness of the job is that their pension and H&W averages about $28-$30 an hour. Most PTers never vest their pension, and many never use their H&W. I understand there are career PTers that work for the benefits and have other jobs. But isn't it ridiculous to be paying more in benefits than in wages? The average Pension contribution in the WCTPTF Is less than $5 per hour, all companies combined. Many Teamsters retire well at $7-9 per hour. If the PR machine were thinking straight, they would convince the WCTPTF to let them reduce the contribution rate (it isn't allowed now) or find a lower cost H&W plan, and the PTers could easily make $25 per hour and more. Otherwise, for non-career Teamsters, I don't think it will get there. By the way, the WCTPTF would hate for this to happen, as all those non-vested PTers help keep the plan healthy and their contributions, in effect, get distributed to career Teamsters. Just saying...

[DanaCos]

This is exactly how the Teamsters operate. They yell and scream about mobilizing members, but they want to keep you in the dark. Why is it that we had to sign NDAs where we can't show members what we're are proposing. How come Sean or any other Union officials hasn't said or shown what the wage proposal is for part timers that was presented to the Company by the Union? You know why? Because you all would be pissed that they are proposing 20 bucks for part timers. They are hoping part timers get frustrated, don't vote and quit. They talk tough about part timers but they are working on behalf of the full timers. Why is UPS still allowed to hand out MRAs whenever they want?

Yup. Didn't O'brien and the rest of these newcomer reformists scream and holler about the brown-out? We spoke about that in 2013 too. TDU? No?

Hey Mr. Allen, Mr. Kerwood, Mr. Fortis and the rest of the talking heads.... start talking about the contract silence. When are we going to see the language that affects our livelihoods? It is July 5th and the contract expires July 31st and we still have to vote on it. Nothing has changed from Hoffa to O'brien. We knew he was going to pull all the same sap suckers on to his slate and all those idiots fell for it.

[JT67]

I can't speak for other areas of the country, but part timers average less than 5 years in the West.The craziness of the job is that their pension and H&W averages about $28-$30 an hour. Most PTers never vest their pension, and many never use their H&W. I understand there are career PTers that work for the benefits and have other jobs. But isn't it ridiculous to be paying more in benefits than in wages? The average Pension contribution in the WCTPTF Is less than $5 per hour, all companies combined. Many Teamsters retire well at $7-9 per hour. If the PR machine were thinking straight, they would convince the WCTPTF to let them reduce the contribution rate (it isn't allowed now) or find a lower cost H&W plan, and the PTers could easily make $25 per hour and more. Otherwise, for non-career Teamsters, I don't think it will get there. By the way, the WCTPTF would hate for this to happen, as all those non-vested PTers help keep the plan healthy and their contributions, in effect, get distributed to career Teamsters. Just saying...

I would hate for it to happen. We have the best pension out there. This is dangerous what you are saying. Obviously your retirement isn’t in this fund.

[Faust]

Leaks are saying that UPS offered $17.50 max as the new starting wage. If this is true this is pathetic. Not even $20 which would already be to low.

[percap2high]

Its still early, they know that won't fly. At this point, with plenty of real time left, it would be no stretch to get to twenty. That is unless the union only proposed twenty or below, god forbid. It's hard to see how a strike happens with all the TA's unless there's a big part-time turnout

[UPS909Strong]

20 was proposed by our bargaining committee

[Davis]

Disappointing but thanks Brother or Sister Good to know.

[Thisischange?]

Leaks are saying that UPS offered $17.50 max as the new starting wage. If this is true this is pathetic. Not even $20 which would already be to low.

They see them as replaceable, like lug nuts in a bin. It's harsh and inhumane. UPS does not care. Will our leadership grow a set of nuts and stand up for the part timers? I hope so, $ 25 or NO!

[Barry455]

I believe this has been said before but if your overall goal is a twenty dollar start rate for part-timers it would be unusual for your first proposal to be $20.