minimum wage

[JonFrum]

Originally Posted by evilleace

The porter in my hub told me when he got hired on in 85 he started at $9 an hr which was 3x what minimum wage was then. I started at $8.50 last yr how is it that I am making less than he did 20 yrs ago for the same job. If UPS had kept the wage scale up then pt would be making $18-20 an hr. I just don't understand why they used to pay that but the union let them get away with keeping the rate the same for 25 yrs.

A quick history lesson . . .

Currently, part-timers are hired at $8.50 per hour, and jump to $9.50 after 90 days.

As of 5/1/1979 (that's over thirty years ago), all part-timers were hired at $7.59 per hour, and received 50-cent raises after 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. They thus made $9.59 after four months, which was a lot of money back then. They also got annual raises and even hefty Cost-of-Living raises. Also, any part-timer who worked beyond the fifth hour was guaranteed eight hours pay.

Then in 1982 (over 27 years ago), the Teamsters negotiated a severe cut in the part-time wage rate for all New Hires. All current part-timers (back then) would continue to earn $12.87, which was 56-cents less than drivers made. [Coincidentally, $12.87 is the same wage as a present day "skilled" part-timer will earn in his fifth year of progression.]

But all new part-timers hired on or after 7/2/1982 would only receive $8.00 (loader/unloader) or $9.00 (preloader/sorter).

Hard to believe, isn't it?

[upsguy72]

Originally Posted by herbigharo32

Last week, I offered to help on twilight and was told that we are only allowed to work extra shifts during Xmas time. I don't understand the silly rules. Working extra shifts would be in violation of contract only if you bump another employee with higher seniority. If the shift was short handed, risk of bumping another employee with seniority high or low was non existent.

I know in our building they have a list that the people on the preload and local sort can sign up if they want to be called in to work there other shift if hey are short handed.

[upser_J]

Originally Posted by upsguy72

I know in our building they have a list that the people on the preload and local sort can sign up if they want to be called in to work there other shift if hey are short handed.

CHEMMA too except they hang it just cuz of the contract not to actually use it, still hear complaints on various shifts, oh we don't have enough people, sups r gonna have to work.. i find it amusing and grieve away!

[mnnice]

Originally Posted by brownrodster

I know bums who would rather panhandle on the corner than work for 8.50$ an hour.

I think it's bodes poorly for the future of the company when your only criteria for hiring new people, who will someday be supervisors and drivers, is that they were willing to show up. If you cared about the future of the company maybe you would like to select the best candidates from an application pool, not hire those who cannot do any better than a lousy 8.50 an hour pt job and simply showed up to an interview.

I think you are looking at this entirely wrong. If an individual applies at UPS knowing he/she will have to work hard, get full benefits, maybe tuition reinbursement depending on where you work, the chance to become full-time or maybe go into management for $8.50, we should be thinking highly of these individuals instead of comparing them to bums. You have to look past the wage and include everything the jobs offers and the potential the company can offer if the individual wants it.

Everyone of you that are responding to this thread was hired because you showed up for the interview. Were you the best? Maybe not, but the person that hired you probably saw potential and gave you a chance.

Times are tough now, but I don't think we have lowered our standards when it comes to hiring good people for the future. Many of these people will be looking back to the day they were hired and thanking UPS for the opportunity.

$8.50 for the work they do in comparsion to other jobs is low, but other jobs don't offer the benefits and growth for part-time work that UPS does.

[bubsdad]

Originally Posted by mnnice

I think you are looking at this entirely wrong. If an individual applies at UPS knowing he/she will have to work hard, get full benefits, maybe tuition reinbursement depending on where you work, the chance to become full-time or maybe go into management for $8.50, we should be thinking highly of these individuals instead of comparing them to bums. You have to look past the wage and include everything the jobs offers and the potential the company can offer if the individual wants it.

Everyone of you that are responding to this thread was hired because you showed up for the interview. Were you the best? Maybe not, but the person that hired you probably saw potential and gave you a chance.

Times are tough now, but I don't think we have lowered our standards when it comes to hiring good people for the future. Many of these people will be looking back to the day they were hired and thanking UPS for the opportunity.

$8.50 for the work they do in comparsion to other jobs is low, but other jobs don't offer the benefits and growth for part-time work that UPS does.

But they don't get any of the benefits for 1 year. No family benefits for 18 months. No holiday pay etc. for 1 year. It's a raw deal. I think UPS is lucky the job market is tough right now because the pay and length of employment before benefits is no incentive.

[705red]

Originally Posted by bubsdad

But they don't get any of the benefits for 1 year. No family benefits for 18 months. No holiday pay etc. for 1 year. It's a raw deal. I think UPS is lucky the job market is tough right now because the pay and length of employment before benefits is no incentive.

Under the old contract it would take 36 months from seniority attainment to receive family coverage. That could take up to 39 months total to cover your family. Yes it sucks that the new hires have to wait a year for their benefits but the family wait has been cut on half.

[brownrodster]

Originally Posted by mnnice

I think you are looking at this entirely wrong. If an individual applies at UPS knowing he/she will have to work hard, get full benefits, maybe tuition reinbursement depending on where you work, the chance to become full-time or maybe go into management for $8.50, we should be thinking highly of these individuals instead of comparing them to bums. You have to look past the wage and include everything the jobs offers and the potential the company can offer if the individual wants it.

.

8.5 is lower than the minimum wage in my state. Throughout my time here at UPS we have always been understaffed due to the inability to find people to do this job. The wait for FT is astronomical. Tuition reimbursement for non management does not exist. Turnover is atrocious with new PTers sometimes quitting days after being hired.

[bubsdad]

Originally Posted by brownrodster

8.5 is lower than the minimum wage in my state. Throughout my time here at UPS we have always been understaffed due to the inability to find people to do this job. The wait for FT is astronomical. Tuition reimbursement for non management does not exist. Turnover is atrocious with new PTers sometimes quitting days after being hired.

Don't they have to pay at least minimum wage?

[brownrodster]

Originally Posted by bubsdad

Don't they have to pay at least minimum wage?

Yes. Buy why would someone work here for minimum wage when most jobs pay at least 10$ an hour to start. The vast majority of new hires know absolutely nothing about UPS. They don't know there are any opportunities or raises in the future. Before they've worked here for some time they don't know that drivers make good money or even how someone becomes a driver. They just see a paltry starting wage and look elsewhere.

[bubsdad]

Originally Posted by brownrodster

Yes. Buy why would someone work here for minimum wage when most jobs pay at least 10$ an hour to start. The vast majority of new hires know absolutely nothing about UPS. They don't know there are any opportunities or raises in the future. Before they've worked here for some time they don't know that drivers make good money or even how someone becomes a driver. They just see a paltry starting wage and look elsewhere.

Another thing they don't know is just how hard they are going to have to work to earn that wage.