UPSFreight
TB Lurker
- Credits
- 0
Reposted from UPS FREIGHT TEAMSTERS:
Let’s talk turkey.
We hear a lot of fear talk about the potential of going on strike. Time to inject a little reality.
1.) They (company and union) threatened carhaul guys with a strike if they didn’t vote yes. Three times those guys voted no... company blinked and they ended up with a very acceptable contact. Two union companies (Jack Cooper and Cassens) for a total of 2,700 employees.
2.) They have consistently threatened us and Parcel with a strike if we voted no... this time and last. We’ve seen ZERO preparations for an extended labor dispute... have any of you? New fences? Electronic gates? Increase security presence? That takes time to set all that up. Been there, done that.
3.) Bad publicity. Need we say more? UPS absolutely HATES bad publicity or anything that might besmirch their vaunted reputation. Do any of you really think if Freight goes on strike, that the media or the public or many businesses will differentiate between Freight and Parcel? They’ll hear “UPS is on strike”... and UPS KNOWS this.
4.) Perhaps most importantly... linked accounts. Stop and think about how many accounts UPS has that are “linked”... i.e. sales force has sold freight business for a reduced rate in order to gain parcel volume from a shipper. We can guarantee you... there are a lot. A LOT. What affects one type of freight will drastically affect another.
5.) The effects of a substantial ambulatory picketing campaign. If we chase scabs in trucks out to the businesses and set up picket lines in front of customers... how much business do you think they would lose? We have been involved in freight labor disputes in the past that took those companies down to 30% of normal business volumes in a matter of weeks. Plus, while our picket lines are out front, Parcel can’t cross nor can any other union carrier. That’s gonna be an issue for those customers that use a lot of both Freight and Parcel.
6.) Speaking of scabs... where exactly are they going to find replacement drivers? They can’t find people NOW. NO ONE CAN. Everyone is SCREAMING and fighting for drivers... and crossing picket lines is dangerous, denigrating work. Does anyone truly think they’ll be able to find enough drivers to keep things flowing? They are counting on their own weak-knees employees crossing the picket lines to keep freight moving. If we stand strong... they have NOTHING. We could be our own worst enemy here if we cave.
7.) The same market forces that caused UPS to create an LTL division STILL exist. They cannot do without a heavy freight division. The market DEMANDS it.
8.) They take a strong tone at the table because that is Negotiating 101... they hope to buffalo enough workers into voting yes with their tough talk. But talk is all it is. They cannot allow a hint of willingness to capitulate because they know they will have to give ground.. and the want this wrapped up as cheaply as possible.
9.) The union is selling this for the same reason... they get their dues regardless and they want to cut their losses and run.
10.) Speaking of cost... do you think the massive bad publicity, the loss of business across all divisions and the potential to lose market share is worth it to them to force it to a strike?
We guarantee you... it is not.
Let’s talk turkey.
We hear a lot of fear talk about the potential of going on strike. Time to inject a little reality.
1.) They (company and union) threatened carhaul guys with a strike if they didn’t vote yes. Three times those guys voted no... company blinked and they ended up with a very acceptable contact. Two union companies (Jack Cooper and Cassens) for a total of 2,700 employees.
2.) They have consistently threatened us and Parcel with a strike if we voted no... this time and last. We’ve seen ZERO preparations for an extended labor dispute... have any of you? New fences? Electronic gates? Increase security presence? That takes time to set all that up. Been there, done that.
3.) Bad publicity. Need we say more? UPS absolutely HATES bad publicity or anything that might besmirch their vaunted reputation. Do any of you really think if Freight goes on strike, that the media or the public or many businesses will differentiate between Freight and Parcel? They’ll hear “UPS is on strike”... and UPS KNOWS this.
4.) Perhaps most importantly... linked accounts. Stop and think about how many accounts UPS has that are “linked”... i.e. sales force has sold freight business for a reduced rate in order to gain parcel volume from a shipper. We can guarantee you... there are a lot. A LOT. What affects one type of freight will drastically affect another.
5.) The effects of a substantial ambulatory picketing campaign. If we chase scabs in trucks out to the businesses and set up picket lines in front of customers... how much business do you think they would lose? We have been involved in freight labor disputes in the past that took those companies down to 30% of normal business volumes in a matter of weeks. Plus, while our picket lines are out front, Parcel can’t cross nor can any other union carrier. That’s gonna be an issue for those customers that use a lot of both Freight and Parcel.
6.) Speaking of scabs... where exactly are they going to find replacement drivers? They can’t find people NOW. NO ONE CAN. Everyone is SCREAMING and fighting for drivers... and crossing picket lines is dangerous, denigrating work. Does anyone truly think they’ll be able to find enough drivers to keep things flowing? They are counting on their own weak-knees employees crossing the picket lines to keep freight moving. If we stand strong... they have NOTHING. We could be our own worst enemy here if we cave.
7.) The same market forces that caused UPS to create an LTL division STILL exist. They cannot do without a heavy freight division. The market DEMANDS it.
8.) They take a strong tone at the table because that is Negotiating 101... they hope to buffalo enough workers into voting yes with their tough talk. But talk is all it is. They cannot allow a hint of willingness to capitulate because they know they will have to give ground.. and the want this wrapped up as cheaply as possible.
9.) The union is selling this for the same reason... they get their dues regardless and they want to cut their losses and run.
10.) Speaking of cost... do you think the massive bad publicity, the loss of business across all divisions and the potential to lose market share is worth it to them to force it to a strike?
We guarantee you... it is not.