The Teamsters and the delivery giant UPS look set to return to the negotiating table next week as a strike deadline of 1 August approaches for 340,000 workers represented by the union who are seeking a new contract agreement.
On 5 July, contract negotiations broke down between the union and UPS as both sides were still apart on issues that include better starting pay for part-time workers, wage increases for full-time workers and more full-time roles.
But now the union says UPS has reached out about setting dates for fresh talks.
“As thousands of UPS Teamsters practice picket, rally, and mobilize around the country, UPS bowed today to the overwhelming show of Teamster unity and reached out to the union to resume negotiations. The Teamsters National Negotiating Committee and the company will set dates soon to resume negotiations next week,” the Teamsters said in a press release.
If a strike occurs, it would be the largest walkout in US history at a single private employer and the largest strike since 500,000 steel workers walked off the job in 1959.
Bloomberg estimates that if a strike were to occur, UPS could lose about $170m a day. Two hundred US lawmakers, including 28 senators and 178 representatives, agreed not to intervene if a strike does occur.
A spokesperson for UPS said in an email: “We are pleased to be back at the negotiating table next week to resolve the few remaining open issues. We are prepared to increase our industry-leading pay and benefits, but need to work quickly to finalize a fair deal that provides certainty for our customers, our employees and businesses across the country.”
