There already is a downturn in volume. And not all of it has to do with contract negotiations. Freight in general is hurting. And there is no crystal ball to predict the future.
If it was truly about new FT jobs and not a money issue, there could be a clause in the contract like in previous ones about creation of FT jobs based on economy, based on UPS volume. I know that would leave the door open for fudging, but to promise to create so many new FT jobs when you don't know now if they are needed or not, is ludicrous. Most of the PT jobs that could be combined into FT jobs have already been done for the 22.3. Sure, there are some, or maybe some split shifts, that can be created. But how many?
This, and a possible strike, better not be over future FT jobs, and not payrate or pension or PVD's.