UPS Freight Zone Drivers in Six States Are Now Teamsters

Teamsters Now Represent Nearly All Eligible UPS Freight Workers

WASHINGTON, April 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A group of UPS Freight workers spanning six states have joined the nearly 12,600 drivers and dockworkers across the country covered by a Teamster contract. UPS Freight drivers voted unanimously to ratify their first-ever contract as Teamsters. 

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With this vote, nearly all UPS Freight drivers and dockworkers enjoy the benefits and voice on the job provided by a Teamster contract.

The latest workers, called "zone drivers," service hard-to-reach areas outside of UPS Freight terminals. Their vote this month followed closely a group of drivers in LaCrosse, Wis., who in March also unanimously voted to ratify a Teamster contract with UPS Freight and became members of Local 695.

"We are pleased to have this group of drivers as Teamsters," said Ken Hall, Package Division Director and International Vice President. "These drivers provide an invaluable service to the company and they deserve to reap the benefits of a Teamster contract."

The new UPS Freight Teamsters are members of Local 696 in Kansas; Local 486 in Michigan; Local 346 in Minnesota; Local 833 in Missouri; Local 662 in Wisconsin; and Local 657 in Texas.  

"They are really happy to be Teamsters now," said Frank Perkins, President of Local 657. "We had talked to them several months ago and they understood they would have to wait to become Teamsters but they hung in there. They are going to gain from the contract and they are looking forward to those improvements."

The Teamsters kicked off the organizing campaign in 2006 when the union organized UPS Freight (formerly Overnite Transportation) workers in Indianapolis and negotiated a contract with the company that was ratified by a 107-1 vote in October 2007.

The Teamsters won a majority sign-up agreement with UPS in December 2007, and in January 2008, launched a nationwide campaign. By November 2008, the Teamsters represented more than 12,400 UPS Freight workers in 42 states.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters