UPS and International Brotherhood of Teamsters have agreed to an early start to negotiations on a new contract to replace the five-year pact that expires July 31.

The union and company plan to begin contract negotiations in late January, first with an exchange of written proposals and then the start of face-to-face negotiations. Five years ago, the Teamsters and UPS did not open negotiations until March and did not move into continuous talks until May, the result being a Teamsters strike against the parcel carrier.
Teamsters locals have been meeting across the country since October to discuss what they'd like to see in the new contract. According to the Teamsters web site, President James P. Hoffa has identified the 2002 UPS contract as the number one bargaining priority of the union. The union says it will fight to increase wages, pensions and benefits; close loopholes that allow management to do Teamster work; stop outsourcing and double-breasting; increase full-time jobs for part-time workers; strengthen the contract's air language; and limit mandatory overtime.
"UPS is pleased to get an early start on these contract talks," said Chris Mahoney, senior vice president for transportation. "We know our employees and customers want to see a new agreement negotiated as soon as practical. The Teamsters have said they recognize an early start to negotiations is the best way to protect UPS volume and preserve Teamsters jobs."
UPS is the world's largest package delivery company, handling more than 3 billion packages every year and employing more than 370,000 people worldwide.