AOC supports UPS Teamsters protest: ‘We stand with you’
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Stands in Solidarity with Teamsters in UPS Negotiations
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) made a powerful appearance at a Teamsters protest, showing her support as the union engages in negotiations with UPS. The stakes are high as the negotiations between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and UPS have hit a roadblock, leading the Teamsters to leave the negotiation table and prepare for a strike on Aug 1.
Since April, UPS has been in talks with the union, which represents around 340,000 workers. While progress has been made on 55 noneconomic issues on June 19, an agreement on wages has yet to be reached.
A Practice Strike with a Powerful Message
“We just want you all to know that we have your back,” Ocasio-Cortez declared at the Queens protest, which served as a practice strike. “When we say ‘we,’ we mean the city, this country, and everyday people. Because you’re not just fighting for yourselves, you are fighting to raise the standard for all working people in this country.”
During her speech, the New York representative mistakenly mentioned that there were over 300 million UPS drivers. However, even with 340,000 workers on strike, it would still be the largest strike in American history.
Both the Teamsters and UPS attempted to set early deadlines for an agreement, but they came and went without a resolution. Despite the challenges, Ocasio-Cortez remains optimistic, stating, “It’s not that much, it’s not too much to ask for. We have done this before and we have won before. Keep that in mind, and we will win again.”
According to Pitney Bowes, a global shipping firm, UPS handles a staggering 37% of the United States’ total parcel volume, delivering an average of over 21 million packages every day. This represents approximately 6% of the nation’s gross domestic product, highlighting the significant impact of UPS on the economy.
The last UPS strike occurred 25 years ago, making the current negotiations and potential strike a historic moment for both the union and the company.
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