June 21st, 2023 by WCBC Radio

Unionized UPS workers have overwhelmingly approved a strike for July 31 if current issues are not addressed in negotiations. Eliminating a 2-tier pay scale and benefits system, part time pay, and air conditioning for delivery vehicles are the big issues on the table. The Teamsters Union represents about 340,000 UPS workers, over half the company workforce  while the vote does not guarantee a strike will happen, it could carry far reaching implications for the economy. UPS delivers about 6% of the nations gross domestic product- everything from dog food to medical prescriptions – about 25 million packages a day. Deliveries have increased 67% from pre-pandemic levels as customers have come to rely on doorstep deliveries. UPS profits have soared since the pandemic and union officials say the profit is largely due to the efforts of drivers and warehouse workers.