Tag Archives: Teamsters

Union, UPS

What’s happening at MakeUPSDeliver.org ..

TeamCare Sticks with Healthcare Cuts

The new Health Plan covering UPS Teamsters in the Southwest and New Jersey Local 177 is improving health benefits. Why won’t TeamCare?

Over the past two weeks, UPS Teamsters in most of the West and in New Jersey Local 177 got some good news in the mail: their health and welfare fund is improving benefits.

The modifications to the plan reduce emergency room co-pays, improve dental and optical coverage, and make other changes, effective September 1.

Members have been up in arms about the cuts in health coverage from day one, and that pressure finally won some improvements.

But what about TeamCare? It’s time for the Hoffa administration to deliver more than healthcare cuts.

UPS Profits & Black Friday Plan

UPS announced third-quarter profits of $1.2 billion. The company expects peak season deliveries to jump by 11 percent this year, shattering the previous record.

For the first time, UPS will have ground service on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Management will force members to work if there are not enough volunteers who want to work the holiday for the extra pay.

One local at least has contract language that allows Teamsters to avoid the Black Friday blues. Under the New York Local 804 Supplement, UPS cannot schedule Teamsters to work on a holiday, including the day after Thanksgiving.

Local 804 members who want the day after Thanksgiving with their family can take the day off with pay.

The national contract has no language to stop UPS’s Black Friday plans and the issue was not addressed in contract negotiations.

MakeUPSDeliver.org

UPS

Fired UPS worker accused of stealing $160K diamond, trading it for $20 worth of marijuana

PHOENIX – A one-time UPS worker is accused of stealing a package containing a $160,000 diamond, and trading the valuable jewel for $20 worth of marijuana.

Walter Earl Morrison, 20, was working for UPS while unloading a plane in the cargo section of Sky Harbor Airport when he stuffed a package under his shirt, according to court documents.

Morrison thought the package contained cash, but instead he found a diamond.

“Any single stone over $100,000 is an expensive stone,” House of Diamonds owner Brent Taubman said when asked about pricey diamonds.

Morrison allegedly traded the diamond for the drug, before being caught.

The stolen diamond was recovered and delivered to the intended customer, a UPS spokesperson said.

UPS fired Morrison, the spokesperson added.

Authorities charged Morrison last week with felony theft.

A man who would not open the door at Morrison’s home said he had no comment on the matter.

Jon Erickson, KNXV

UPS

UPS to hire up to 95,000 seasonal workers

Package Shipping Companies Rush To Delivery Backlog Of Christmas Packages

UPS plans to hire up to 95,000 workers to help with package delivery during the holiday season, the company said Tuesday.

The positions will include package sorters, loaders, delivery helpers and drivers, according to The Associated Press.

Last year, UPS underestimated the number of deliveries during the holiday shipping season, which peaked several days later than the company expected as shoppers jumped at free shipping offers, right up until a few days before Christmas.

UPS originally planned to hire 55,000 seasonal workers in 2013 but ended up adding 30,000 more to handle the surge in deliveries, which drove up costs and reduced earnings.

Even with the additional hiring last year, UPS couldn’t handle all the volume, and some last-minute deliveries were delayed until after Christmas.

Since last year’s holiday season, UPS has implemented several measures to help prepare for this year’s onslaught of deliveries. This includes making improvements to schedule planning, installing temporary mobile sorting and delivery centers and adding thousands of new or leased delivery vehicles, trailers, aircraft and portable loading aids. It’s also adding operating days and shifts, according to AP.

Company officials said much of the sharp increase in package deliveries this year will be driven by e-commerce, and the surge will begin in October and continue through January 2015, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Individuals interested in applying for the seasonal positions, starting at $10 an hour, may do so online at UPSjobs.com.

7NEWS

UPS

UPS double standard

UPS fires the driver in a case like this because their internal investigation finds him responsible for the accident. But when a jury award is involved, they deny responsibility.  Can you have it both ways?  DB

 

 

MOBILE, Alabama — A Mobile County jury granted a man a $1 million award for damages after a car accident with a UPS delivery truck two years ago.

Gerald Simoneau II was driving on Rangeline Road when a UPS truck driven by Steven A. Chestnut veered onto the street, colliding with the vehicle he was driving, according to a complaint filed in Mobile County Circuit Court.

After the February 28 crash, Simoneau, underwent multiple surgeries to repair broken bones, including his ribs and clavicle; and permanent injuries to one of his arms.  A jury awarded Simoneau compensatory damages for the incident Thursday.

“UPS’s driver chose not to follow basic safety rules. By violating the right-of-way, he caused a collision that permanently injured another person,” said Lucy Tufts, an attorney for Cunningham Bounds who represented Simoneau, the plaintiff.

Chestnut, who was then employed by UPS, attempted to cross the intersection near Todd Acres Road and pulled in front of Simoneau only seconds before they both collided.

“UPS is disappointed with the jury’s verdict and we are evaluating whether we are going to appeal,” said Susan Rosenberg, a spokesperson at the corporate office in Atlanta. “Because it’s so recent our lawyers need time to study the elements of the verdict.”

The shipping and logistics company has 30 days to file a motion for an appeal. That motion can sit before a judge as long as 90 days.

“Even after its driver admitted fault, UPS was not willing to accept responsibility. UPS spent 2 ½ years litigating the case and wanted the jury to believe that Mr. Simoneau was to blame for not seeing and avoiding its delivery truck,” Tufts said.

“The jury’s verdict sent a message that it is important for corporations like UPS to be accountable and to take responsibility for their actions when they cause harm to someone else.”

Michael Finch II