{"id":2683,"date":"2021-02-15T19:26:45","date_gmt":"2021-02-16T00:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tempestmag.org\/v01_2020\/staging\/?p=2683"},"modified":"2022-11-08T09:22:52","modified_gmt":"2022-11-08T14:22:52","slug":"where-is-ups-going","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tempestmag.org\/test02\/2021\/02\/where-is-ups-going\/","title":{"rendered":"Where is UPS going?"},"content":{"rendered":"

W<\/span>hen United Parcel Service (UPS) announced on January 25 that it was selling its freight division to the Montreal-based TFI International Inc., it hit like a bombshell. The sale represents a major shakeup of the freight industry, and it is the first major strategic decision by new UPS CEO Carol Tom\u00e9. It is also part of ongoing restructuring of UPS, the largest unionized private-sector employer in the United States, and it therefore warrants close attention.<\/p>\n

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the union representing 15,000 drivers and dockworkers at UPS Freight, appeared to be as surprised as anyone by the announcement. Teamsters freight coordinator, Kris Taylor, posted<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Early yesterday morning, January 25, UPS made the IBT aware of its sale of UPS Freight to TFI International.\u00a0 TFI is a corporation based in Canada, and some Teamster local unions in the U.S. and Canada have agreements with them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

In a follow-up letter<\/a> to union locals that represent UPS Freight workers across the country, Kris Taylor and Teamsters Package Division Director Denis Taylor tried to reassure local officers that nothing had really changed. The letter ended with, \u201cShould you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Package Division.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite such reassurances, a shakeup in the ownership of a major Teamsters employer warrants greater concern, and it should send an ominous signal to the rank and file of the union. Yet, the Teamsters act as if they are little more than bystanders.<\/p>\n