After a series of local and national rallies, the United Parcel Service and the Teamsters Union have agreed on a five-year contract.
Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas said that the agreement is a colossal win for the more than 340,000 UPS Teamsters members nationwide.
“Our delegation applauds these tentative agreements that include wage increases as well as safety and health protections, equal pay part-time rewards and new trucks with air conditioning, among other provisions,” Cephas said. “This would certainly change the game for many other unions. The bar has been raised.”
State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler stood in solidarity with union members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 623 last week at the UPS facility on Oregon Avenue. Teamsters Local 623 represents UPS workers at the Oregon Avenue location and the workers at the Philadelphia Airport. The event was the second in a three-event series of labor rallies hosted by Pennsylvania House Democrats.
“I’m happy for the hundreds of thousands of UPS workers who will finally see the improved wages, benefits and working conditions that they deserve,” said Fiedler, who is chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation Labor Subcommittee. “This tentative agreement reflects that their daily hard work is valued and shows that we have great power when we stand united. When we fight, we win.”
Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation praised the triumph and said they are committed to continue fighting for fair pay and safe workplaces for every worker in Pennsylvania.
“Our group has been proudly walking and fighting along with the UPS workers for better pay and tangible benefits, but this is also a fight for fairness and respect,” Cephas said. “We are pleased to see that their struggles have been finally acknowledged. We are celebrating this victory, but we also ratify our firm commitment to keep championing for all workers in the commonwealth. We are determined to guard their dignity and strengthen worker protections at all levels.”
During the rallies, workers warned of a possible strike that would have crippled deliveries both locally and nationally. UPS is one of the world’s largest shipping couriers. In terms of revenue, it is the world’s largest courier company with annual revenues at about $85 billion a year. It is one of the largest American-owned private employers in the United States.
“It goes to show that all work is valued,” said state Rep. Roni Green, vice chair of the Labor Subcommittee. “It doesn’t matter what you do, when labor is unified and together, workers can negotiate for the pay and benefits they deserve. I’m also happy that vital goods and services were not interrupted and that both sides walked away with an agreement they can live with.”
