gorilla75jdw
Well-Known Member
Negotiatons have already started on our upcoming contract . No headway has been made in either direction other than the company's sucessful message to most of us that they do not intend on keeping business as usual for us . Healthcare , pensions , retiree healthcare , wages , harassment and simple issues like honoring seniorty are all being targeted by U.P.S.'s labor division . To humble yourself and presume all is well , and these issues are being discussed in our favor is insane . #1 , love or hate Obama and his visions with mandated healthcare for all has come back to haunt the Teamsters . We , and I use that term very carefully have put all our eggs in his basket just because We are supposed to as Teamsters . What was the first item the cmpany chose to throw a fastball on , that would be healthcare . They know that in the end they will get what they ask for . Oh yea we might get some mediocre wage increases , sme more 22.3 combo jobs , maybe even an entry level wage increase , but they will get their foot in the door on our healthcare , even if its a small foothold . Given the fact that in 2017 , when Obamacare will no longer be waivered for Teamsters , and will be fully treated as taxable income for us , why would they afford us premium healthcare ? . Wages , for starting positions at U.P.S. will see a slight increase , simply because with part-time employees being defaulted to Obamacare , the company will be saving money , money that can be diverted to the entry level wage , even if its a 1$ increase which sounds ggod to high school students . The reality is the company is off the hook for premium healthcare for new employees , one less benefit they will have to provide . All I am saying is if we as Teamsters have any unity left , any voice that can be heard by our votes within the rank and file , that we should stand and fight now . It wont be easy , it was not easy last time but if we give an inch they will take a mile . For those of you that think it will not happen , that the company and the union will iron our contract out with strong langauge that favors us , think again . Be prepared , save now and take the measures that need to be taken . Me , I am cancelling my vacations to the beach , my families weekend splurges on things that are unnecasary (movies, dining out etc. etc ) because in the end , even if we do get a contract in a timely manner , I want to be prepared for my familys sake . I was a part of the last strike , I didnt have a family at that time . Be responsible , be heard be pro-active and pay attention , think ahead . Its nobody elses fault for you not being unprepared .