InsideUPS
Well-Known Member
For those of you that were not around during the 1997 UPS strike, you may find the following article an interesting read.
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/08/ups-strike-teamsters-logistics-labor-unions-work
Observing the current "Vote No" movement vs. the "Vote Yes" movement from a distance is truly an interesting study in human behavior. In the end, it all boils down to greed and politics. Greed is inherent for corporations trying to meet and exceed the expectations of Wall Street. Political power and influence is inherent within the Unions. "We the People", are often stuck in the middle of this battle while often being unwillingly or unwittingly manipulated in the process.
Having gone through the 1997 strike, I feel that today's "climate" for Union solidarity and strength is very different from 1997. Public support of UPS Teamsters was very important back in 1997 when the mantra and slogans included, "Part-Time America Won’t Work" "UPS means Under Paid Slaves", etc.. Regardless of your political affiliation, many of today's national political leaders are not Union friendly....Trump included. Right To Work states have increased, multi-employer pension funds such as Central States and Western Pennsylvania are in jeopardy with others also underfunded.
Knowing your strengths....is also knowing and acknowledging your weaknesses. The one thing that we as non-negotiating members of the Teamsters Union do not know is what all our "weaknesses" actually may be. We also do not know how the giant UPS Excel spreadsheet has been divided or how much more they (UPS) are willing and/or able to offer. "Last, Best, and Final, Offer". Voting "no" is a huge gamble affecting many different lives and families. Voting "yes" is a partial gamble that will affect lives but with greater certainty considering we already know the current proposed contract language. In the end, each one of us should vote what best reflects or OWN feelings rather than be influenced by those that have little or nothing to lose or are political minions that have a totally different agenda.
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/08/ups-strike-teamsters-logistics-labor-unions-work
Observing the current "Vote No" movement vs. the "Vote Yes" movement from a distance is truly an interesting study in human behavior. In the end, it all boils down to greed and politics. Greed is inherent for corporations trying to meet and exceed the expectations of Wall Street. Political power and influence is inherent within the Unions. "We the People", are often stuck in the middle of this battle while often being unwillingly or unwittingly manipulated in the process.
Having gone through the 1997 strike, I feel that today's "climate" for Union solidarity and strength is very different from 1997. Public support of UPS Teamsters was very important back in 1997 when the mantra and slogans included, "Part-Time America Won’t Work" "UPS means Under Paid Slaves", etc.. Regardless of your political affiliation, many of today's national political leaders are not Union friendly....Trump included. Right To Work states have increased, multi-employer pension funds such as Central States and Western Pennsylvania are in jeopardy with others also underfunded.
Knowing your strengths....is also knowing and acknowledging your weaknesses. The one thing that we as non-negotiating members of the Teamsters Union do not know is what all our "weaknesses" actually may be. We also do not know how the giant UPS Excel spreadsheet has been divided or how much more they (UPS) are willing and/or able to offer. "Last, Best, and Final, Offer". Voting "no" is a huge gamble affecting many different lives and families. Voting "yes" is a partial gamble that will affect lives but with greater certainty considering we already know the current proposed contract language. In the end, each one of us should vote what best reflects or OWN feelings rather than be influenced by those that have little or nothing to lose or are political minions that have a totally different agenda.
