New union contract - package handlers

[Nickstixx]

So, I just started as a package handler a couple weeks ago at the Portland Hub.
I am new to the union, and have never been apart of one before. So I'm not sure how to voice any opinions or what not, or even how to contact my union rep.
One issue I would like to ask for the next contract has to do with the eligibility of benefits.
As the current contract sits, we don't receive any benefits except for the tuition reimbursement program until after our first year.
I'm sure you all are aware of the high turnover rates in the package handler position.
I think that if they granted benefits earlier, maybe after probation period that it would retain more workers.
Do any of you have any insight to this, and why they wait an entire year before they grant those benefits?
Curious to hear everyone's thoughts.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

The same reason that you don't get health care till after a year. People would work here for a short time get all the medical work done and quit.

 

[Turdferguson]

So, I just started as a package handler a couple weeks ago at the Portland Hub.
I am new to the union, and have never been apart of one before. So I'm not sure how to voice any opinions or what not, or even how to contact my union rep.
One issue I would like to ask for the next contract has to do with the eligibility of benefits.
As the current contract sits, we don't receive any benefits except for the tuition reimbursement program until after our first year.
I'm sure you all are aware of the high turnover rates in the package handler position.
I think that if they granted benefits earlier, maybe after probation period that it would retain more workers.
Do any of you have any insight to this, and why they wait an entire year before they grant those benefits?
Curious to hear everyone's thoughts.

They did it for two reasons.
1. People were getting hired and using the benefits then quitting.
2. Two part timers don't vote, so their voice gets drowned out. Change that by taking part in your local union and having your voice heard

 

[burrheadd]

They did it for two reasons.
1. People were getting hired and using the benefits then quitting.
2. Two part timers don't vote, so their voice gets drowned out. Change that by taking part in your local union and having your voice heard

Wtf do you know about it

 

[Box Ox]

The same reason that you don't get health care till after a year. People would work here for a short time get all the medical work done and quit.

I wonder how Amazon is handling this problem with their (from what I hear) immediate benefits.

 

[PT Car Washer]

Young guys getting their girl friend or wife pregnant and working just long enough until the baby is born. Or single mothers pulling the same gig. UPS usually just dumps the single mothers by placing a pregnant woman in the hardest pulls and waiting for them to quit. Pregnancy is not an excuse for disability.

 

[silenze]

I don't think they will change eligibility. Especially since the union now runs your healthcare.
But the union does want a 15$ an hour starting wage.

 

[Big Package]

We really need 15. Especially in Oregon. Fifteen an hour in Oklahoma and you're king. Out here two part time workers would be poverty. Our minimum wage is 10.25 non-metro to 11.25 Portland metro. It's expensive as to live out here. A decent FT job and a PT job and you're still on some kind of state support.

 

[Big Package]

PTer's deserve 15. We are short 20 people. Three just put in notice today, last week we lost another stunner.. two guys either quit or got DQ'd. We were already having drivers come in and now there's six in unload alone in 2 weeks. Just a few dollars more. Union pays us benefits, why can't UPS pay a living wage? Over half a dozen drivers at what, like 50 an hour, instead of a couple more dollars. It is hard to justify this job at 10.25 when I can work same shift at a gas station or Walmart for more!

 

[Turdferguson]

Wtf do you know about it

More than you evidently

 

[Catatonic]

More than you evidently

Which means you still don't know diddly!

 

[wide load]

I wonder how Amazon is handling this problem with their (from what I hear) immediate benefits.

This is how. No thanks!
Medical Plans | Amazon | Premera Blue Cross

 

[TearsInRain]

UPS usually just dumps the single mothers by placing a pregnant woman in the hardest pulls and waiting for them to quit.

i've never seen anything but managers bending over backwards for pregnancy

 

[upschuck]

i've never seen anything but managers bending over backwards for pregnancy

Wasn't there a lawsuit against ups because of a pregnancy not too long ago?

 

[TearsInRain]

Wasn't there a lawsuit against ups because of a pregnancy not too long ago?

i dunno management doesn't hear or talk much about lawsuits

 

[upschuck]

i dunno management doesn't hear or talk much about lawsuits

You would think they would, to caution or to say it is baseless.

Look it up, it is there.

 

[TearsInRain]

You would think they would, to caution or to say it is baseless.

Look it up, it is there.

yeah it's all fun and games to talk about it until some lawyer subpoenas every email the company has that mentions it even if they had nothing to do with it

no thanks i'd rather not know at all what is going on legally

 

[upschuck]

yeah it's all fun and games to talk about it until some lawyer subpoenas every email the company has that mentions it even if they had nothing to do with it

no thanks i'd rather not know at all what is going on legally

Has happened before, I.e. the California break lawsuit.

I guess the company can only do one right thing a decade?

 

[upschuck]

yeah it's all fun and games to talk about it until some lawyer subpoenas every email the company has that mentions it even if they had nothing to do with it

no thanks i'd rather not know at all what is going on legally

So you'd rather do illegal things, eh?

 

[TearsInRain]

So you'd rather do illegal things, eh?

you completely misread my post

simply by talking about an issue via email in an informal way, you open yourself to having your statements misconstrued in court

legality is irrelevant