Opinion

Letters; Stand with UPS workers


Abby Drey/adrey@centredaily.com

CDT readers
Sat, July 15, 2023

On July 5, UPS walked away from negotiations with 340,000 of their workers organized with the Teamsters.

UPS didn’t just walk away from those workers: they walked away from our communities. By risking a national strike instead of bargaining in good faith, UPS sent a message they’ll prioritize stock buybacks — like the $8.6 billion paid out in 2022 — over our communities.

Despite company propaganda, they aren’t doing right by their workers. UPS employees kept our economy and our communities afloat during the pandemic, delivering COVID-19 vaccines they weren’t yet eligible to receive. Many of them continue to work six days and upwards of 60 hours a week, forced to work more to keep up with demand and to make ends meet.

The Teamsters have shared how many part-timers rely on government assistance, even as UPS makes record profits. Businesses shouldn’t be able to rake in the cash while passing the cost on to our communities.

The UPS contract expires July 31. It’s up to UPS to come to the table and reach a fair deal with their workers. If UPS refuses to do so, it’ll be up to us to stand with our local UPS workers organized with Teamsters Local 764, because they’re not just fighting for themselves. Their fight against corporate greed, for dignity on the job, and for a livable wage, is a fight for all working families.

Connor Lewis, State College. 

The author is the president of Seven Mountains Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.