I agree to a certain point. I have been sitting here for awhile now trying to figure out how to respond to this thread without sounding like sour grapes. I like to take on the impossible from time to time, so here it goes.
Did anyone in this program not see this coming? With this economic crisis we are in this was bound to happen and more things like this will likely come. I know we have all herd it over and over, volume is down nation wide. When you can't increase revenue you must controll costs. This is the first real measure taken that effects the long time/full time union employee.
The part time program is still in place as it should be. These our people who are developing themselves for positions in UPS or other places. The benefit for UPS is that one day they may apply their education at UPS but even if they dont, UPS knows that they at least have a part time employee for a couple of years.
So if you are a friend/T employee who was in this program I hope you continue with your education, it will be harder but still worth it. Remember, just like free healthcare is not a right (thats correct, its not free, you earn your health insurance everyday) your education should not be free either.
So I think I did it, I managed to say my point and not mention all the cut backs managment has gone through in the last 6 months ( no raise, cancelled 401K etc.) Good luck!