UPS is facing a standoff between the company and union teamsters as neither side is willing to budge during negotiations talks in recent weeks. Despite numerous attempts to come to a resolution, it appears workers will go on strike starting August 1st to fight for pay increases and worker safety. UPS and union members have until July 31st to come to an agreement before the current contract expires.
This could make it hard to buy your favorite streaming player and other cord cutting devices online.
“This multibillion-dollar corporation has plenty to give American workers — they just don’t want to,” said Teamsters President Sean O’Brien as reported by CNN Business. “UPS had a choice to make, and they have clearly chosen to go down the wrong road.”
Few details have been released by either side, though air-conditioned vehicles is said to be towards the top of the list for union members. Seeing as UPS has nearly doubled its revenue to $11.3 billion during the course of the current contract ensuring its employees have comfortable working conditions doesn’t seem like too much to ask from the company, especially considering the heatwaves sweeping the nation this summer.
“We have nearly a month left to negotiate. We have not walked away, and the union has a responsibility to remain at the table,” said UPS. “Refusing to negotiate, especially when the finish line is in sight, creates significant unease among employees and customers and threatens to disrupt the US economy. Only our non-union competitors benefit from the Teamsters’ actions.”
If neither side can come to an agreement soon, 340,000 UPS union members are prepared to go on strike which could cost UPS an estimated 30 percent of its business.
Companies that use UPS to ship their goods are already looking at alternatives to sign long-term contracts ahead of July 31st. Even if UPS and union members cement a deal and avoid a strike, the company could possibly face losing business as companies consider bouncing to a more stable delivery environment, such as the US Postal Service or FedEx.