Layoffs: UPS Teamsters Fight Back!

**Faust** · 03-05-2024, 07:32 PM

Originally posted by Tony R Cochran

The Independent Teamsters Organizing Committee (ITOC) has put together short, medium and long term organizing goals and solutions to fight layoffs of UPS Teamsters, including strong layoff protections and AI/automation contract language that should be integrated into every CBA.

Are you aware that the majority of Teamsters aren't gonna read this long and boring pitch?

I hope you do not waste your time making flyers with the same length because they will go straight to the trash.

**Gimme_Danger** · 03-05-2024, 08:08 PM

I'm pretty sure this says all that, but members can understand it and the activity is real:
https://www.tdu.org/standing-up-312

**Tony R Cochran** · 03-06-2024, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by Gimme_Danger

I'm pretty sure this says all that, but members can understand it and the activity is real:
https://www.tdu.org/standing-up-312

The advice, education and guidance cited is important, and should be regular practice. I am pleased it is available to members. We must enforce the contract. What ITOC mentions, and I am surprised this is not on the TDU site, is Article 26. We are seeing a lot of Surepost that is over the agreed dimensions. As inside workers we can route this to the clerks--I have personally sorted about 300 of these oversized Surepost in the last week to be re-labeled and put on RCPDs . Here in Portland, members are already informing each other to do that with signs like the one attached. This builds solidarity between the inside workers and the drivers. More Surepost-to-UPS ground volume means more work for RCPDs. We should be making those "last mile" deliveries.

While the initial message provides some helpful tips on protecting yourself from discipline, it fails to address critical aspects such as the absence of layoff protection, concerns about AI/automation for inside workers, and the two-tier system affecting top rates for inside and outside workers. Additionally, the looming threat of job cuts due to the "reorganization" around the automation model is not adequately highlighted.

It is important to recognize that the decline in profits, despite historic highs in 2021 and 2022 due to stay-at-home policies, is a consequence of various factors, including changing consumer habits combined with last year's bruising contract campaign; however, OZ's failure to put layoff protection and AI/automation restriction into the CBA is leading to "historic" outcomes. Layoffs are now at a historic level, and there is a clear indication that they will continue to increase.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding and provide a broader picture for all members, I urge you to consider the following points:

Lack of Layoff Protection: The current contract fails to provide layoff protection for workers, exposing them to the risk of job loss.
AI/Automation Concerns: Inside workers face uncertainties regarding AI and automation protection, posing potential threats to job security.
Two-Tier System: Discrepancies in top rates between inside workers and RCPDs need to be addressed to ensure fair compensation for all.
Reorganization and Job Cuts: The impending "reorganization" centered around the automation model is a significant factor contributing to the acceleration of job cuts at UPS.

It is essential for every UPS Teamster to be well-informed as the significant reduction in the bargaining unit over the next 5-10 years, some estimates for UPS Teamsters are around 80% of inside logistics jobs lost, will have major impacts on pensions. An understanding of all of this is the only way to fight back.
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