UPS workers’ opposition grows to Teamsters’ defiance of contract vote
By
our reporters
9 October 2018
Anger is growing among tens of thousands of United Parcel Service (UPS) workers across the United States to the Teamsters union’s decision to impose its sellout contract in defiance of last Friday’s “no” vote by workers.
A clear majority of workers, over 54 percent, voted “no” on the contract. The Teamsters is utilizing an obscure and nakedly antidemocratic clause in its constitution that permits it to impose the contract if fewer than half the workers participate in the vote, unless a two-thirds majority votes “no.” The Teamsters claims that 44 percent of workers participated.
Among workers there is widespread support for a fight. In the Teamsters union, UPS management, and the entire ruling class there is immense nervousness over the possibility of a rebellion by workers, under conditions of a growing mood of struggle among workers across the US and internationally. The corporate media has largely maintained silence on the Teamsters’ repudiation of the vote, with the New York Times, the Washington Post and other major publications failing to even mention it.
There is deep distrust and skepticism among workers about the officially reported figures for both the vote and the turnout. This was the first UPS contract in which the Teamsters utilized an electronic voting system requiring workers to vote on their computer or phone using a code sent to them by mail. Many workers report that they never received their ballot code.
Tim, an air-driver in Michigan, told us yesterday, “I don’t trust the electronic thing or them mailing it. Why can’t we just hold a meeting at each hub and vote…