Teamsters president throws down gauntlet to UPS: Strike coming in 2028

The following article was excerpted from "FreightWaves," a leading provider of global supply chain, transportation, and logistics news and media. To view the complete article, follow the link at the bottom of the page.

It's two years until the contract between United Parcel Service and its 330,000 unionized drivers and package handlers is due for renewal, normally a time when labor-employer relationships are less contentious. The Teamsters union is ready for war. 

In a series of self-produced Teamsters podcasts starting in mid-July, President Sean O'Brien put UPS on notice that rank-and-file members will go on strike if the company doesn't acquiesce to demands for even better terms than the rich contract currently in place, which he calls “historic" for its pay and benefits.

Among issues the union is prepared to strike over are expected attempts to roll back health and pension benefits, automation and deployment of autonomous trucks, and alleged outsourcing of last-mile delivery and supply chain functions to non-union subsidiaries. 

Perhaps the most unusual strike trigger is a new demand that all four union regions, which are governed by supplements to the national master agreement, be allowed to go on strike mid-contract if the parties remain deadlocked on how to resolve union grievances.

"It's going to be a battle, and we are probably going to strike UPS. I mean, we have to because they don't respect us. They don't do what they’re supposed to do on the obligation of the contract. They fight us on everything," O'Brien said on a recent episode of the "Better Bad Ideas" podcast.

It's no secret that the Teamsters and UPS don't have good relations, but the level of animosity this far ahead of negotiations is striking. 

Since union leaders lack their most powerful weapon, the strike, in the middle of a contract, tactical posturing and aggressive public rhetoric typically decline. Contracts are supposed to provide a period of operational stability for the company and workers, with union leaders shifting to enforcing what was already won rather than demanding new concessions. Mid-contract disputes are resolved through highly structured administrative procedures.

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FreightWaves UPS Contract

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has announced a new division within the Teamsters: The Logistics Division. The new division brings together the former Freight, Carhaul, and Express Divisions under a unified structure, creating a stronger, more coordinated approach to representing workers across the logistics industry.

This restructuring reflects the International Union's dedication, under President O'Brien's leadership, to strengthening representation and maximizing our strength by pooling expertise,

organizing capacity, research capabilities, contract enforcement resources, and strategic campaigns under a single operational framework.

IBT General President Sean O'Brien has announced the appointment of Local 776 President Spencer Dearth as the Director of the newly established Logistics Division. In addition, the following leadership appointments have been made:

1. Kris Taylor, Business Representative for Teamsters Local Union 745 in Dallas, TX, as Assistant Director for Freight.
2. Keith Frank, Vice President of Teamsters Local Union 249 in Pittsburgh, PA, as Assistant Director for Express.
3. Jeff Brylski, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local Union 449 in Buffalo, NY, as Assistant Director for Carhaul.

As Director of the Logistics Division, President Dearth will oversee efforts to build member strength, coordinate organizing campaigns, support contract negotiations, and advance the interests of Teamsters members across the Freight, Carhaul, and Express sectors. His leadership will help ensure that Teamsters remain at the forefront of protecting good jobs, securing strong contracts, and growing worker power throughout North America.

Commented Spencer: "I'm honored that President O'Brien asked me to lead this new division. This is a major change in how the IBT conducts business within the three sectors of the new division, and I'm looking forward to the challenge of providing the Members with the best representation the Teamsters has to offer."

The creation of the Logistics Division marks a significant step forward for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. By unifying these key industries into a single division, the union will improve coordination, strengthen strategic planning, and better address the challenges and opportunities members face in an evolving logistics landscape.

These internal changes to the Teamsters' organizational structure will go into effect on October 1, 2026.

Summer is winding down; the monthly membership meetings have resumed. The Retiree's Club will also meet again. Their first meeting since their summer break will be Wednesday, September 16, beginning promptly at 10:00 AM.

There's no speaker for September. Just the regular meeting and fellowship. The club has speakers lined up for the next four months starting in October, and they are currently working on some other guests and events for 2027.

There were retirements over the summer; if you're recently retired, come on out to the meeting on Wednesday and see what the club has to offer!

Representative photo