UPS Strike In early August of 1997 the United Parcel Service (UPS) had a predicament on its hands, a teamsters strike. UPS, the world’s largest package distribution company was coming off a year [1996] in which they reported sales of $22.4 billion. UPS Employed 75,000 management and non-union employees compared with 185,000 teamsters who are part of the AFL-CIO that were going on strike. The teamsters rejected a contract extension offer from the company leaving the fate of millions of packages carrying everything from lobsters to laser printers up in the air (Johnson). Tensions between union supporters and management began mounting in the years preceding the strike. In April of 1994, the International Union led a three-week strike against major tracking companies in the freight hauling industry in attempts to stop management from creating $9 per hour part-time positions. This would only foreshadow battles to come between management and union. Later, in 1995, teamsters mounted an unprecedented national union campaign in attempts to defeat the labor-management “cooperation” scheme that UPS management tried to establish in order to weaken the union before contract talks (Witt, Wilson). This strike was distinguished from other strikes of recent years in that it was an offensive strike, not a defensive one. It was a struggle in which the union was prepared, fought over issues which it defined, and one which relied overwhelmingly on the efforts of the members themselves (http://www.igc.org/dbacon/Strikes/07ups.htm). The teamsters campaign at UPS was unique in that there were many special circumstances surrounding it. UPS controlled 80% of the ground package delivery business, which ensured them that a strike would have a significant impact on the economy and pressure the company to settle. The company was not a conglomerate that could withstand the walkout since it did not have other lines of business. Also, UPS delivers to every address in the U.S., adding a hometown story in most cities and towns. The last circumstance was the fight was taking place during August when Congress is out of session, making it easier to gain national attention (Witt, Wilson). This strike was a battle over several issues. One factor that escalated the strike intensity was the pensions battle. Billons of dollars in pensions were on the line. The Teamste... ... middle of paper ... ...bsp;Full-time workers receive just 3 percent raises, one percentage point above the current low rate of inflation Bibliography Baird, Charles W. (1997). The future of the Union Movement: Clues From the UPS Strike. (2001, November, 1). [Online] Available http://libertyhaven.com Frank, Allan D. (1997) “After the UPS Settlement: Who gained, who lost, and what will the fallout be in the end?” CNNfn (August 19). Johnson (1997). “Bundles of Troubles: UPS workers decide to strike.” Intelligencer Journal (August 1). The UPS Strike. (2001, November, 1) [Online] Available http://www.igc.org/dbacon/Strikes/07ups.htm “The UPS strike puts a pinch on business.” (1997). Business News New Jersey (August 11). UPS Strike Affects the Movie Business. (2001, November, 1). [Online] Available http://www.channel2000.com/news/stories/news-970805-191537.html UPS vs Teamsters: A look at greed and discontentment in the workforce. (2001, November, 1). [Online] Available http://www.jeremiahproject.com/ups_strike.html Witt, Matt, and Rand Wilson (Spring 99). The Teamsters’ UPS Strike of 1997: Building a New Labor Movement. Labor Studies Journal, Vo. 24 Issue 1.
I believe that the union and management did not fulfill their objectives and consequently reached a settlement that did not improve Zinnia’s future competitiveness in the market. Although the union and management initially agreed to focus on wages and health insurance, they bargained a contract that does not reflect their objectiv...
The case study of GMFC provides an example of a company attempting to avoid unionization of its workers. GMFC is expanding by building a new U.S. plant which will manufacture motorized recreational equipment. The company plans to hire about 500 production workers to assemble mechanical components, fabricate fiberglass body parts, and assemble the final products. In order to avoid the expected union campaign by the United Automobile Workers (UAW) to organize its workers, GMFC must implement specific strategies to keep the new plant union-free. GMFC’s planning committee offers suggestions with regards to the plant’s size, location, staffing, wages and benefits, and other employee relations issues in order to defend the company against the negative effects of unionization and increase...
The Depression hit the steel industry with a blowing force massively cutting hours and wages and the silence echoed through the mills with massive layoffs leaving them empty for months at a time. Entering the mill was like walking through a “deserted city” and “Leaving them was like coming out of a tomb.” (p.269). With the blame being placed on the rich and powerful because of the outspoken way they were handling the devastating hit to the mills, the worker became very upset sparking the movement for a union.
The Pullman Porters were able to finally come to collective bargaining with their employer. Before this class I was not sure what this meant but as I heard in the video at the museum of this accomplishment, I was able to understand that the Pullman Porters representatives and their employers' representatives had to negotiate terms and conditions of their employment and dictate them in a contract with respect to wages, hours, and working
The Pullman Strike of 1894 was the first national strike in American history and it came about during a period of unrest with labor unions and controversy regarding the role of government in business.5 The strike officially started when employees organized and went to their supervisors to ask for a lowered rent and were refused.5 The strike had many different causes. For example, workers wanted higher wages and fewer working hours, but the companies would not give it to them; and the workers wanted better, more affordable living quarters, but the companies would not offer that to them either. These different causes created an interesting and controversial end to the Pullman strike. Because of this, questions were raised about the strike that are still important today. Was striking a proper means of getting what the workers wanted? Were there better means of petitioning their grievances? Was government intervention constitutional? All these questions were raised by the Pullman Strike.
David Brody argues that the rise of contractual or collective bargaining relationships during the post WWII era formalized the relationship between employers and unions, but simultaneously began to put a break on shop floor activism. Explain Brody’s argument and, where relevant, incorporate Weber’s theory of bureaucracy.
against their employers, employees were able to go on strike and prove a point. Some
Throughout the history of the United States of America the continuation of misfortunes for the workforce has aggravated people to their apex, eventually leading to the development of labor unions.
There were too many people and there was not enough organization and events in the strike for it to be effective. The strikers plan was weak and they did not have a real style of leadership. It was also hard for the laborers to gain support from the public. Since the great depression, lots of people were scared of what would happen if the mills failed. Some people did not see the dangerous working conditions and could not understand why the union was on strike (Wave, 2012). Most importantly, the strikers could not gain support from the newly elected democratic president. President Roosevelt’s new administration did not benefit the workers and certainly left the middle and lower class in a bind. Since the president’s administration did not support laborers, neither could the state
Unions have an extensive history of standing up for workers. They have advocated rights of steelworkers, coal miners, clothing factory employees, teachers, health care workers, and many others. The labor movement is based on the idea that organized workers as a group have more power than individuals would have on their own. The key purpose of any union is to negotiate contracts, making sure workers are respected and fairly compensated for their work. “In theory” unions are democratic organizations, resulting in varying inner authority. Workers look for security within a job a...
UPS is a cargo company based in the USA that was first founded in 1907. It has since grown into one of the largest delivery company and delivers to more than 220 countries around the world. In 1975, UPS first embarked on its international ventures by moving into Canada and Germany in the following year. As UPS began to engage in more international operations, it became clear to the company that the need for an independent and self-sustainable airline had become a serious concern. By 1988, UPS provided route network to 41 countries, extending to Asia, Europe, and America. UPS Airlines was found not long after to negate the use of commercial flights and minimize legislative requirements (UPS Pressroom, 1975).
History has never been my strongest subject but I’ve noticed that throughout all my years of being taught it that one aspect seemed to continuously draw my attention. Anything related to strikes interests me because there’s something so empowering to learn about how people come together to form unions to fight for better conditions. With the world constantly changing, strikes don’t just start and stop. After a certain amount of time, they will start again in order to keep up with the changes. I chose to write my paper on the Brazilian truckers’ strike because of the fascination I have with the different methods people have used to make their voices heard. I also thought it would be an issue I could follow throughout this course as the
Flanagan, R. J. (2005). Has Management Strangled U.S. Unions? Journal of Labor Research, 26(1), 33-63.
The meeting the workers had been concerning the low wage pay and poor treatment from the employers. The workers gathered and hailed a strike “yes we must strike!...
The laws and regulations surrounding Industrial Relations since the 1900’s have, at each reform, placed tighter constraints on the amount of power unions are able to exert. The reforms have also radically increased managerial prerogative, through an increased use of individual bargaining, contracts and restrictions imposed on unions (Bray and Waring, 2006). Bray and W...