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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Packmule" data-source="post: 2255826" data-attributes="member: 33558">Gonna wind this down with a little history for those who weren't around in 97. On a Friday morning, right before a three day Fourth of July weekend, 1997, stewards announced there would be a strike authorization vote the following morning, at union halls across the country. Why a holiday weekend when so many had plans? Because everyone who didn't show up counted as a "yes" vote. In my area, 13 out of a possible 70 showed up, and those of us who did were told they needed the authorization becaus the company wasn't negotiating at all, Who cared anyway? Twice now, presidents Reagan and Bush Sr. Had evoked Taft Hartley, ordering there would be no work stoppage at UPS.It would be a year or two till union boss Ron would be indicted for voter fraud and money laundering through the democratic national convention. Maybe it's circumstantial, but Bill Clinton couldn't do the same, even though everyone frond hospitals to military bases were screaming they couldn't do their jobs without UPS delivering their supplies, 3 days into the inevitable strike, management delivered brochures to the strike line, detailing their proposal the union said didn't exist. Some liked it, some didn't, but didn't matter. The union wasn't about to give you a vote on it.11 days into the strike, the company gave in and the union declared a great victory. Then, in 2003, everyone received a union letter explaining that the pension plan was going broke and no one would receive a dime till their middle sixties, and then only about half the money promised, because in a multi-employer fund, the union was giving 60 cents on the dollar UPS provided, to someone who never worked for UPS.Fast forward, 2006. Union and company enter into negotiations a full 2 unprecedented years before the expiring 08 contract. The subsequently provide a proposal for member to vote on a full year before the 08 contract expired. Why the rush? APWA. Two feeder drivers out of N Carolina had started an upstart union made of nothing but UPSrs for UPSrs, needing only 30% of eligible members to sign a card, forcing a vote to replace the IBT or not. Only thing gonna shut down this movement is a newly ratified contract. Nullifies all gathered signature cards instantly.2007. Loyal, dues paying, members, ignoring the alarms of t APWA, couldn't ratify the new contract, containing a new single employer pension fund fast enough, the only problem? It totally excluded the retirees. Left them hung out to dry.I personally got to know those APWA founders. They were 30 plus year feeder drivers with many dear friends recently retired. Both assured me the would never propose, or accept, ANY proposal that didn't take care of the retired drivers whose blood sweat and tears helped forge this company as it expanded across the country.Can't say that about the teamster bosses, or the rank and file members who threw retirees in the bus.But they lecture me about solidarity and standing with your brothers!Fast forward. 2012. We voted to give the union enormous economic control over the dollars UPS provides for our healthcare. In November Another Clinton may become president, and in August our contract expires. Want to be paying $600 a month in HC premiums? Give the union a strike authorization and stick your head in the sand. Or not.Me? I'm gonna ride this one out. Gonna take a three week vacation in August, 2017, and retire soon thereafter. Medicare will make your HC premiums your problem. My apologies to the OP for getting this post a bit off track.</blockquote>

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