The 6-week leave in Article 16, Section 6 "Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)" is not federal law. It's just UPS-Teamster contract law. Like all provisions in the Contract, it doesn't apply to Writer, because he is a Supervisor, not a bargaining unit employee. I hope UPS has a 6-week leave policy for management people, but I don't know if they do or not.
- - -
Strictly speaking, the 6-week vs. 12-week leave eligibility is determined by the hours you work, (1250 vs 625) not by your status as part-time vs. full-time.
- - -
If anyone qualifies for FMLA leave, they are entitled to take it, period. UPS can't stop them, or retaliate against them. It's actually UPS' responsibility to invoke the Act if a qualified employee asks for leave, even if the employee has never heard of the FMLA and doesn't know his rights under the Act. The burden is on the employer.