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The
two sides traded salvos in early morning statements as they
attempt to come to an agreement to prevent a strike when the
current contract, which covers some 340,000 workers, expires at
the end of the month.
UPS workers have already authorized a strike should the talks
break down. Such a labor action would be the first since 1997
for UPS workers, in a strike that lasted 15 days.
Both the union and company officials have said before that they
wanted a deal finalized to prevent a strike, which could put
millions of daily deliveries at risk.
"The Teamsters have stopped negotiating despite UPS's historic
offer that builds on our industry-leading pay," the company
said, adding that the union should return to negotiations.
The union had earlier in the day said UPS made an offer that was
unanimously rejected and that the company had "walked away from
the bargaining table."
"UPS had a choice to make, and they have clearly chosen to go
down the wrong road," said Sean O'Brien, general president at
the Teamsters, which represents roughly 340,000 full- and
part-time U.S. drivers, package handlers and loaders at the
company.
The 1997 national strike disrupted the supply of goods, cost the
company $850 million and sent some customers to rivals.
UPS sweetened its offer last week, but O'Brien said it did not
go far enough to reward workers who risked their lives to keep
packages moving during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic
that fueled big profits for UPS.
Labor unions of late have been motivated by stronger bargaining
power with companies grappling with labor shortages since the
pandemic.
"Refusing to negotiate, especially when the finish line is in
sight, creates significant unease among employees and customers
and threatens to disrupt the U.S. economy," UPS said on
Wednesday.
Shares of UPS were down 2.6% before the bell in light volumes.
(Reporting by Jahnavi Nidumolu, Abhijith Ganapavaram in
Bengaluru and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Maju
Samuel and Arun Koyyur)
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