The Teamsters Union "kicked ass" in August 1997 when 185,000 members forced United Parcel Service to its knees.  For several reasons, this victory was possibly the biggest labor win in at least a quarter century.

First, it achieved very significant gains for UPS Teamsters in terms of pay, pension, reversal of subcontracting, and consolidation of part-time work into fulltime jobs.  For a refresher on the contract, visit  '97 UPS Contract Gains  &  Central States Pension Gains  on the Teamster website for details.  The contract victory also helped pave the way for the elimination of United Parcel Service's "team concept" anti-union ploy, which you can read about at  UPS Scraps Team Concept.

Second, the victory proved that a properly prepared strike remains as potent a weapon as ever.  When a Union thoroughly researches a company's financial status and vulnerabilities, polls its members to find out their needs, keeps them informed every step of the way, and explains the issues to a potentially sympathetic general public, a strike can break the logjam of stalled negotiations with a stonewalling corporation.  Unions should not of course launch a strike haphazardly or unnecessarily;  this weapon is to be used as a last resort when all other negotiating mechanisms have been exhausted.  For instance, the Teamsters Union did not immediately strike upon expiration of the old UPS contract, but instead extended negotiations for several more days before taking decisive strike action.

Third, the Teamster strike inspired the workers of America.  The majority of the American people sympathized when the issues at UPS were fully explained to them, because those issues, such as the proliferation of part-time work, were often THEIR issues too!  Numerous other Unions have since launched strikes with sometimes spectacular results.  It's safe to say that the Teamster win over UPS helped trigger a genuine labor upsurge.

Finally, the vanquished wasted no time in counterattacking.  Corporations and their lackey political servants in Washington, D.C. quickly recognized the bold sentiment unleashed by the victory.  They are applying a full court press on the Teamsters Union, meddling in its internal affairs, draining it financially, and harassing its officers, organizers, and staff.  That's the price of success!

UPS is participating in this assault by trying to renege on the contract section calling for consolidation of part-time work into fulltime jobs.  The Teamsters Union is mobilizing its members in defense of this hard-fought-for language.  Visit the Teamster website sections devoted to this enforcement battle at  UPS Undermining '97 Contract  &  "Respect Our Contract" UPS Campaign  &  Make UPS Live Up to Contract.

All in all, it has been an inspiring year for millions of loyal workers throughout America who are tired of taking it on the chin from Corporate America!