cybersteward.net

I’m on vacation this week, which takes me away from the grind of UPS and being an onsite steward for one week (and reminds me of just one of the many great perks of being a union member). It also gives me a little more free time to read up on recent union news:

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Make UPS Deliver follows the story sparked by CNBC host (and Philly guy) Jim Cramer when he said UPS “pantsed” the Teamsters in the 2008 contract. Just a taste of what Cramer had to say:

I can’t overemphasize the importance of this contract to UPS. Personally, I love unions. But professionally I love companies that have crushed unions. And UPS, you know what they just did: They pantsed the Teamsters!
(Read the full story at Make UPS Deliver)

If you were reading this site last October you were already aware of the issues involving the “unborn” (refer to a quote in the Cramer story about “hosing over people who aren’t members yet”), and that there were several voices (including my own) who warned of the potential negative effects of this contract. Click here to read three articles from Cybersteward.net in particular.

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Shining the bitter light of contrast on the gains not made in last year’s contract negotiations are the gains that have been made in Local 705’s recent strike threat (read more here). When approached by several part-time UPS members I represent about the news of 705’s victory (including higher raises, more vacation personal time, as well as other non-monetary gains), I told them we can still stand up for the contract rights we have - and remember to stand up next time our contract negotiations come around.

Standing up for the rights we still have includes not falling asleep on violations involving supervisors working and the creation of new full-time positions and the maintainence of existing positions.

The worst reaction we can have to contract concessions is to give up on the rights we still have. Let’s not do that.

And don’t forget that the new contract books are in, so if you need a copy, contact the union hall, your BA or your Shop Steward. Knowing your contract and your rights is the first and most vital step to standing up for those rights!

Filed under: 2008 contract, I.B.T., UPS, jobs, rights, solidarity, unionism