UPS Strike (1997)

Mon Aug 04, 1997

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Image: A still from video footage of a 1997 UPS strike rally. Many signs read “UPS UNFAIR TO TEAMSTERS” [rankandfile.ca]

On this day in 1997, United Parcel Service (UPS) workers, organized with the Teamsters, went on a massive strike that lasted 16 days and cost UPS ~$600 million, winning more full-time positions and significantly higher wages.

The UPS strike, led by International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) President Ron Carey, involved over 185,000 teamsters and effectively shut down UPS operations for 16 days. UPS stated their losses during the strike were approximately $600 million, and the Teamsters took out a loan to pay $10 million to strikers manning picket lines.

Grievances centered around UPS’s use of part-time workers, which were paid less than full-time workers and constituted over 2/3rds of the workforce. Slogans of the campaign included “Half a Job is Not Enough” and “Part-time American Won’t Work!”.

The strike ended in victory for the union, resulting in a new contract that increased their wages, secured their existing benefits, and gave increased job security.