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UPS aircraft maintenance workers seek to exit mediated contract talks
THE National Mediation Board (NMB) in the US has received a request from 1,300 aircraft maintenance workers employed by UPS, seeking to be released from mediated contract negotiations with the company.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters claims that UPS continues to postpone contract negotiations with the staff who maintain UPS' aircraft fleet, adding that the company is also demanding "devastating" concessions in health benefits for current workers and retirees, reported American Shipper.
"Under UPS' proposal, health coverage for a retiree and his or her spouse would skyrocket to more than US$19,000 per year in the first year with further increases each year thereafter," the Teamsters were quoted as saying.
"UPS has over $60 billion in revenues each year and can easily bargain for years with no adverse consequences," the request to the NMB said. "The only parties who will suffer as a result of continued mediation are the hard-working, middle class mechanics and related employees who have seen their wages frozen for four years as they fight to maintain the health insurance they currently enjoy."
Looking ahead, the NMB may now offer the mechanics and UPS the opportunity to let a neutral third-party arbitrator decide remaining contract issues. However, if the union or UPS refuses to arbitrate the dispute, a 30-day "cooling off" period would be triggered, and the mechanics could then be free to strike any time after the period ends.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters claims that UPS continues to postpone contract negotiations with the staff who maintain UPS' aircraft fleet, adding that the company is also demanding "devastating" concessions in health benefits for current workers and retirees, reported American Shipper.
"Under UPS' proposal, health coverage for a retiree and his or her spouse would skyrocket to more than US$19,000 per year in the first year with further increases each year thereafter," the Teamsters were quoted as saying.
"UPS has over $60 billion in revenues each year and can easily bargain for years with no adverse consequences," the request to the NMB said. "The only parties who will suffer as a result of continued mediation are the hard-working, middle class mechanics and related employees who have seen their wages frozen for four years as they fight to maintain the health insurance they currently enjoy."
Looking ahead, the NMB may now offer the mechanics and UPS the opportunity to let a neutral third-party arbitrator decide remaining contract issues. However, if the union or UPS refuses to arbitrate the dispute, a 30-day "cooling off" period would be triggered, and the mechanics could then be free to strike any time after the period ends.
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