Teamsters to UPS: No national talks until regional contracts are finished

By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -The International Brotherhood of Teamsters union on Wednesday said it would not begin national contract negotiations with United Parcel Service (NYSE:) as planned next week unless regional supplemental contracts are completed.

The largest private-sector labor negotiations covering some 340,000 Teamsters-represented workers at UPS are scheduled to begin on Monday, April 17, in Washington. That national contract expires on July 31.

“UPS will be in Washington, D.C. next week ready to negotiate with the Teamsters on the National Master Agreement and the supplemental agreements,” the company said in an emailed response.

The Teamsters said that only 10 of 40 supplements to the national contract have been resolved since those regional talks started in January. The union blamed delays by UPS.

“We have clearly stated our intentions to UPS from the beginning that there would be no national negotiations until these regional contracts are completed,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said in the statement.

Teamsters-represented UPS workers are also covered under supplemental agreements, riders and addenda that are specific to the region where they work. Those contracts define provisions not included in the national agreement, including paid time off, overtime, work hours, seniority and discipline language.

UPS said discussions around national negotiations and supplemental agreements often take place at the same time. It said it has bargained in good faith since the beginning and would continue to review and consider all proposals that are brought to the table.

“We are committed to reaching an agreement that provides wins for our employees, the Teamsters, UPS and our customers,” UPS said. “Taking care of our people and delivering for our customers is our top priority.”