Our Boxes, Our Backs! Enforce the Contract!

As the usual “hunting season” continues at UPS, we need to double-down on enforcing new language in the contract that will help reduce layoffs and protect our members’ jobs. The National Contract Enforcement Campaign has put together additional materials below to help locals hold the company accountable to the new contract. This includes information on Article 26, Section 4 which protects Teamster work and puts millions of Surepost packages back on to UPS vehicles. At the same time, we must emphasize the health and safety of UPSers with enforcement of new language in Article 18, Section 22 that prohibits the co-mingling of over 70-pound packages on moving belts and slides. We also need to enforce the existing protections in Article 44, Section 1 when it comes to the handling of over 70-pound packages.

We urge all UPS locals to engage members with these materials and be ready to take action on grievable violations. Also, please note that additional resources regarding new limits on Surepost packages have been added to the UPS Teamsters app. Finally, all members are encouraged to register for the March 3 “State of the Contract” webinar with General President Sean M. O’Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman.

In this toolkit:

Our Boxes, Our Backs Leaflet

Click below to download

Guide: Identifying Oversized, Overweight Surepost Packages

AT THE GATES

Business agents and/or stewards may consider setting up a display with various size boxes showing the different shapes of packages that are less than two cubic feet and more than two cubic feet. Consider offering members some hands-on examples of what 10 pounds feels like using similar items that are equal or close to 10 pounds.

* Please remind members to keep checking the UPS Teamsters app for updates on the agreed upon procedure to redirect Surepost packages at every step of their progress through the UPS system. Members can also find the above diagram illustrations on the app, along with a link to an online cubic feet calculator. 

Rally Sign

Click below to download file

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Click here for a list of Teamster printers and contact the International Union’s Department of Strategic Initiatives directly at 202-624-6911 to connect with a Teamster printer.

The following guidelines for printing should be shared with the printer you use:
• Sign size: 18″ x 12″
• The sign is full color, full bleed

Social Media Graphics

Sample Social Media Text for Facebook, Instagram, etc.

The new UPS contract protects Teamsters’ work by putting millions of packages back on UPS vehicles! The maximum allowable weight and size of packages that can shipped through Surepost has been reduced from 3 cubic feet to 2 cubic feet, and 10 pounds or less. Article 26, Section 4 increases the percentage of Surepost packages to be redirected to our drivers each year, from 42 percent to 50 percent by the end of the contract. These gains mean more packages staying on package cars and being delivered by Teamsters, protecting our work and creating thousands of new Teamster jobs.

UPS Teamsters on the preload should be on the lookout for Surepost packages that don’t fall within the new limit of 2 cubic feet or 10 pounds. Use the guide on the app to help identify Surepost packages that are over 2 cubic feet or more than 10 pounds. These packages should be pulled from the belt and sent to a clerk to be redirected to a regular package car.

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The new UPS Teamsters contract provides more protection for members’ health and safety with stronger restrictions on over 70-pound packages. New language in Article 18, Section 22 says the company cannot co-mingle irregular, incompatible, over 70-pound packages, or Forever Bags containing more than 70 pounds of parcels on a moving belt or slide. This adds to protections in the existing Article 44, Section 1 language which states that “No employee shall be required to handle any over 70-pound packages alone if it is the employee’s good faith belief that such handling would be a safety hazard to themselves.”

Article 44 also protects RPCDs from being required to solicit customer help with over 70-pound packages “if it is the employee’s good faith belief that the customer is not qualified to help or that such assistance would be a safety hazard to themselves or the customer.” And the Article is clear that no packages over 150 pounds should be handled by any UPS Teamsters.

Register: March 3 “State of the Contract” Webinar

Please join General President Sean M. O’Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman on Sunday, March 3, to hear an update on the state of our new UPS Teamsters contract, including the ongoing Contract Enforcement Campaign. We urge all rank-and-file members at UPS to tune in to this update to learn more about how the historic gains of the contract are being put to work and the importance of having all members engaged in contract enforcement efforts.

The webinar will take place at 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT / 11 am MT / 10 am PT.

Registration is required. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Contract Enforcement Trainings

Reminder: Contract Enforcement Trainings are available to assist locals with educating business agents, stewards, and rank-and-filers on contract enforcement at UPS. This five-hour program includes an overview of:

If your local is interested in hosting a Contract Enforcement Training by the International, please reach out to the Training and Grants Department at (202) 624-8724.

Quick Tips for Stewards

Share Photos & Videos

Follow the instructions below for submitting photos and videos from your local union’s contract enforcement activities, parking lot meetings, etc. We will feature content from UPS locals on the International’s social media platforms.

To submit image or video files from your phone:

  1. CLICK HERE to upload files and indicate your local union and location of the action. OR…
  2. Open the UPS Teamsters app, click on the ≡ menu icon on the top left of the screen, and select “Share Action Photos/Videos.” Upload your files and indicate your local union. OR…
  3. Email your files to UPSvictory@teamster.org. Remember to include your local union, as well as the UPS center/location where the action took place.

OTHER TIPS