UPS Strike Essay -- essays research papers fc

UPS Strike   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  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 â€Å"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... ...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) â€Å"After the UPS Settlement: Who gained, who lost, and what will the fallout be in the end?† CNNfn (August 19). Johnson (1997). â€Å"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 â€Å"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:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Building a New Labor Movement. Labor Studies Journal, Vo. 24 Issue 1. UPS Strike Essay -- essays research papers fc UPS Strike   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  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 â€Å"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... ...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) â€Å"After the UPS Settlement: Who gained, who lost, and what will the fallout be in the end?† CNNfn (August 19). Johnson (1997). â€Å"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 â€Å"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:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Building a New Labor Movement. Labor Studies Journal, Vo. 24 Issue 1.