UPS last week announced the beginning of talks with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on new contracts covering about 250,000 employees.
The current five-year contract expires at the end of July 2018, but the Louisville Courier-Journal noted that the negotiations on a master contract covering drivers, mechanics, package handlers and dock workers will include more than 30 supplemental agreements and riders.
Teamsters officials told the paper that the union intends to revisit health care and pension concessions made in the current contract in the wake of record profits reported by the parcel giant — which could result in "tough" contract talks.
"There are a lot of issues at stake in the upcoming negotiations, including UPS members’ pensions, ongoing harassment by management, new technology and subcontracting issues,” Denis Taylor, the director of the Teamsters Package Division, said in a statement.
Union representatives plan to convene in Washington, D.C., this week to review its contract proposals.
UPS officials said in a statement that they hope to "strongly position UPS for the future" in a "rapidly changing industry."
“We believe all parties recognize that taking care of our customers with reliable service is the key to maintaining a company that rewards our employees and provides excellent job security," said UPS Labor Relations President Al Gudim.
