CHICAGO—A statement from the Chicago Teachers Union on the 340,000 UPS Teamsters fighting for a fair contract:
Whether it be delivering our packages in the rain and snow or being a lifeline to the outside world during the height of the global pandemic, the hardworking Teamsters who work for UPS have always supported our households, schools and institutions at the most critical times.
These hardworking union workers have sacrificed time, health and wages when we were at our lowest point, and now all they are asking for is a fair and just contract with United Parcel Service. What is difficult about paying a fair wage and making life easier for working families?
Educators know firsthand what it means to treat people well. We regularly teach this lesson to our students, but clearly need to share it with corporate America. When you treat people with dignity, respect and pay them well, they will learn, earn and achieve more.
We support our 340,000 Teamster Union siblings’ demands for a fair contract NOW. Beyond that, we want to uplift the part-time UPS employees who justifiably do not want to live on poverty wages. Today, 60 percent of UPS workers are part-time and many are earning poverty wages—now is the time for that to change.
We stand in solidarity with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters as they work to eradicate the two tiers of jobs where wages, benefits and union rights are unfairly curtailed.
UPS made millions in revenue last year. They can and must do better by their workers.
Our message to UPS is a simple one, DO BETTER!
