© Reuters. United Parcel Service and Teamsters staged a rally ahead of the start of the largest private sector contract talks in the United States covering the global delivery company’s more than 330,000 American drivers, package handlers and forklifts, in Orange, California.
(Reuters) – The union represents nearly 340,000 American drivers, parcel handlers and forklifts in the United States United Parcel Service (NYSE:) said on Wednesday that the package delivery company “walked away from the negotiating table.”
The Teamsters said in a tweet that UPS made an offer that was unanimously rejected by the union’s National Negotiating Committee. The federation added that no additional negotiations were scheduled.
“After marathon negotiations, UPS refused to give the Teamsters a last, best, final offer, telling the union that the company had nothing more to offer,” Teamsters said.
UPS did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Labor unions, which are gaining popularity in the United States, have higher bargaining power with companies, which have been grappling with labor shortages since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The contract covering full- and part-time UPS employees in the United States who deliver packages, load trucks, and handle packages expires at midnight on July 31. UPS workers have already allowed the strike, in case talks break down.
