UPS Avoids Teamsters Strike at Largest Air Hub with Settlements and First Contract for New Workers

UPS has avoided a Teamsters strike at its largest air cargo hub in Louisville, Ky., and six other states, as the union secured settlements on outstanding grievances and a first contract for newly organized workers. The strikes were set to take place across the Chicago area, with picket lines extended to California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Ohio. The union also criticized UPS' voluntary buyout offer, calling it "illegal" and a "profit-fueled scheme."

United Parcel Service (UPS) has successfully avoided a Teamsters strike at its largest air cargo hub in Louisville, Kentucky, and six other states. The union, led by General President Sean M. O'Brien, had threatened to strike at UPS's largest air hub, Worldport, in Louisville, and across the Chicago area, extending picket lines to California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Ohio. The strike threat was a response to UPS's alleged attacks on workers' rights and the union's demand for resolution of outstanding grievances.

The union secured settlements from UPS on various issues, including grievances affecting workers at Worldport's Aircraft Maintenance Distribution Center (AMDC) in Louisville. The settlement agreement ensures that Teamsters Local 89 members will now handle all originally assigned work, addressing issues that had been ignored or delayed by UPS for over a year. Additionally, Teamsters Local 705 in Chicago achieved a first contract for administrative and specialist workers, elevating their wage rates.

UPS also agreed to settle outstanding grievances regarding seniority issues and workplace safety at Teamsters Local 20 in Toledo and Teamsters Local 455 in Denver. The union expressed its determination to fight against corporate greed and mistreatment of workers, emphasizing the need for UPS to comply with the National Master Agreement.

The union criticized UPS's voluntary buyout offer, labeling it "illegal" and a "profit-fueled scheme." Despite the settlement, UPS continues to violate the union's National Master Agreement across the country. The union has called for the enforcement of the contract and the delivery of thousands of additional vehicles equipped with air conditioning to local unions in Zone 1, the hottest working environments for delivery drivers.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information.

References:
[1] https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20250812ph49425/at-11th-hour-ups-bows-to-teamsters-strike-threat-in-7-states
[2] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/united-parcel-service-faces-strike-threat-from-teamsters-union-over-workers-rights-issues-ce7c51dad98ff025