Staff Reports
Joe Biden’s attempt at being a labor-friendly president hit a roadblock as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters made it clear they don’t want his help. The union’s new president, Sean O’Brien, sent a strong message to the Biden White House, telling them to stay away from contract negotiations with UPS. The current contract between UPS and the Teamsters expires on July 31, and if a new agreement isn’t reached, the 340,000 workers could walk off the job (via Associated Press).
Teamsters President to Biden Over Looming UPS Strike: Stay the Hell Out of It https://t.co/j1EyIgDkdn
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 18, 2023
O’Brien has even asked the White House multiple times to stay out of the situation, comparing it to a neighborhood dispute where outsiders should just mind their own business. It seems like the Teamsters would rather handle things on their own, without any interference. It’s a bold move, and one that shows the union’s confidence in their ability to negotiate without the help of the president. But is it a smart move?
If a strike occurs, it won’t just be UPS that feels the impact; e-commerce will also take a hit. With a 20 percent return rate on packages, a strike could cause severe disruptions in the shipping industry. This has the potential to be one of the largest union strikes in history, and it’s a headache that UPS doesn’t need. They’ve already experienced a major strike back in 1997, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. The company did make some improvements to worker safety, but since then, negotiations have been rocky, with both sides blaming each other.
Now, with the Teamsters making it clear that they don’t want the president’s involvement, it’s unclear how the negotiations will progress. One can’t help but wonder if this is a bad sign for Biden. Labor unions are typically seen as allies to Democratic presidents, so for them to reject his help is a blow to his image. However, it could also be a strategic move by the Teamsters to avoid too many cooks in the kitchen. Either way, it’s clear that a deal needs to be reached soon to avoid disruptions in the shipping industry.
In the meantime, UPS is taking precautions by training nonunion workers as a backup plan in case negotiations continue to stall. It’s a smart move on their part, as they can’t afford to have their entire labor force unavailable. Let’s hope that cooler heads prevail and a new agreement can be reached. The Teamsters need a win here to strengthen their position, especially as they set their sights on Amazon drivers next. The shipping industry is in for some tense moments, but hopefully, a resolution is just around the corner.
