UPS workers facing battle for pay and conditions

Written by Darron Sharples | 23 August 2009

The coming weeks will be a testing time for the employees of UPS, buoyed by a pay claim submitted by the joint Unions, and shattered by a subsequent counter claim by the company.

The Union’s submitted claim was entitled “A reward package in difficult times,” a modest claim, taking account of the economic climate, but also of the Company’s ability to pay.

So far in 2009, UPS has netted profits nearing $850 million dollars after tax, no small feat, and way better than its competitors in the market. This was achieved of course by aggressive cost cutting, but shareholder value has been prioritised over rewarding the people who played their part in making that profit in the first place.

UPS workers now face a new struggle, with disciplinary action taking a very heavy handed approach, and although volume is down, as is the same in the whole market, workers are forced to improve their performance further than ever before.

The Sword of Damocles hangs over the head of these workers, with bullying and intimidation appearing as a daily occurrence, unrealistic targets, coupled with instructions to manipulate data from seniors, is making working life extremely miserable for its once dedicated staff.

“No working off the clock” has been a recent campaign by the Unions, seen by some as unpopular, UPS officially agree that this should not happen, but do not actively dissuade the individuals who do this. There will always be volunteer workers; usually all for charitable organisations.

UPS is far from charitable; workers need to see that non recording of the “free” working time is helping UPS to report that more work is being done in the “official” working hours. This invariably leads to more work being added to individual’s load, and company expectations spiral out of control.

Is now the opportunity to stand for fair treatment and a reward for the hard work that is expected from you, or carry on “taking the battering” in the name of an alleged “global economic recession”?

There will soon be a ballot of Union members within UPS on whether to accept the company’s pay “offer,” non Union members will not be involved, and their feelings cannot be counted toward the overall result.

If you feel that your voice should be heard, then it is not too late to act, contact your local shop steward, or any Unite office, click HERE to go to the Union’s website and find out your local office contact details.