Less than two months now remain until the Teamsters contract with United Parcel Service expires, and the union says contract negotiations are reaching a critical stage.

According to UPS, the talks “continued to gain momentum” last week as additional tentative accords were reached on issues involving the National Master Agreement during negotiations in Washington, D.C. In addition, tentative agreements have been reached on approximately half of the supplements that govern regional Teamster locals in the United States. The current contract expires July 31.
The union will hold a National Day of Action on Tuesday, June 4, to show the solidarity of the union as members sign petitions of support for the Teamsters Negotiating Committee. Petition drives will be held at more than 200 locations. The union is expecting 100,000 to sign. Rallies will be held in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Ga., Louisville, Ky., Boston, Mass., and Chicago.
UPS notes that the petition campaign is “a normal demonstration of union solidarity and … is not indicative of progress being made at the negotiating table.”