I've only been working with UPS for a little over a year, so I'm still learning the political ropes, but here are my current complaints about the Teamsters:
1) Sucking money out of new hires' paychecks even during their initial three months employment, when they get nothing in return, is a sleazy scam. When I hired on, I was struggling to earn enough to pay the rent, and I can't tell you how much I resented that. I definitely came into the job with a chip on my shoulder.
2) I'd like to see the seniority system somehow modified so that people can advance by merit. In particular, I'm tired of getting walked on by co-workers who are lazy trouble makers, but who have just a little seniority over me - especially when their buddy buddy with the shop steward. I've worked with a couple individuals who drive the supervisors to tears and literally harass their co-workers. Those individuals should have been fired long ago. They're bad for the company, bad for the union and bad for their co-workers.
When I attended the Teamsters' initiates meeting, one speaker said, "You've probably heard stories that the union makes it impossible to fire bad employees. Well those stories aren't true!"
He was lying.
I worked at the post office for a year, without union protection, and I was able to advance by simply coming to work on time and working hard. It was a very good feeling. At UPS, I feel held back. No matter how hard you work, you're never rewarded.
3. The "Brother" Syndrome - Where do these people get off calling UPS employees "Brother" when they treat us like crap? Who would force their brother to work for $8.50 an hour, without medical benefits or sick leave, until the year 2013???