WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thousands of Teamsters from across the United States are attending meetings at local unions to learn more about the proposed national contract, the IBT reported on its website.
At Local 639 in Washington, D.C., more than 250 members attended an informational meeting Sunday, July 28.
“I’m here to find out what’s been offered in the contract and what’s been negotiated by the Teamsters,” said John Boldt, a 24-year UPS worker who is a feeder driver. “I came here to get the facts. I don’t want to go by rumors.”
The Teamsters National UPS Negotiating Committee reached tentative agreement July 15, and members will soon vote on the proposal.
“I think it’s part of your responsibility to be here. I’ve been to most of the meetings,” said Larry Crilley, another Local 639 member. Crilley, a 23-year UPS veteran, is a pre-loader.
“I’m here to get the details to see what we have,” added Richard Davis, a 19-year UPS worker who drives a package-car truck. “Money is not the issue. The issue to me is job security and retirement.”
“We had a productive meeting,” said John Catlett, Local 639 President. “The members got a chance to hear about the contract details, and they asked lots of good questions.”
“We explained the facts of this agreement,” added John Steger, Local 639 Secretary-Treasurer. “This meeting, combined with the unprecedented amount of information the union sent out during the campaign, made the membership the most informed they’ve ever been.”