If an employee is working in a state with a minimum wage higher than the $8.50 starting contract rate, they start at the state minimum rate. No one is paid less than the state minimum wage per hour. After tax/dues/fees take home pay may be less but the hourly rate is at least the minimum wage in each state.
True. State Law always trumps contract law. But isn't it a devastating commentary on the Teamsters Union that their definition of "best ever" contracts contain part-time starting wages below one or more state minimum wages.
I'd say that this an accurate statement but incomplete in its content.
UPS part time employees out number the full time/top scale drivers and 22.3's combined.
They have the voting power to change their circumstances but repeatedly choose not exercise their voice in ratifying a contract.
This is why it is what it is.
Part-timers who are members of the Bargaining Unit but not members of the Teamsters Union in RTW states can't vote by law.
Part-timers who are members of the Bargaining Unit but not members of the Teamsters Union in non-RTW states (Agency Fee Payors) can't vote by law.
Contract votes are only held every five or six years. Relatively few part-timers are members in good standing when the votes are held. Many part-timers pass thru the revolving doors only to work for a few days, weeks, months, or years, and are not part-time when a vote is taken. Either they left the Company, or went full-time.
The worst wages and benefits are always reserved for the "unborn." This large block of part-timers who will be hired during the Contract's term, can't vote even though they will be eventually working under the Contract and will be dues paying Union members.
Some part-timers on the payroll who have not yet paid all their dues and initiation fees can't vote because they are not yet "members in good standing."
Some part-timers vote "Yes" because the Teamsters Union unanamously recommends the Contract, as does UPS. They are lead to believe it is the best offer that can be gotten, and a "No" vote means a strike, and possible job loss. They don't know any better because no one educates them.