AOC criticizes UPS for not paying workers a fair wage before strike.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Stands with UPS Workers in Fight for Fair Contracts

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is leading the charge in supporting United Parcel Service (UPS) employees who are preparing for a potential strike amidst stalled contract negotiations. Joined by United Auto Workers president Shawn Fein and Teamsters union president Sean M. O’Brien, Ocasio-Cortez is demanding fair contracts from UPS as the Teamsters Union faces an impasse over a new four-year agreement.

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“This shouldn’t even be a fight,” Ocasio-Cortez declared passionately on Saturday. “UPS made a whopping $16 billion in profit last year, and now they’re claiming they can’t afford to pay part-timers a living wage? I don’t buy it.”

With 97% of workers voting in favor of strike authorization in June, hundreds of thousands of UPS employees could soon go on strike, with the expected start date being August 1st.

UPS has accused the Teamsters of walking away from negotiation talks, urging the union to return to the bargaining table. However, the union has countered by stating that it was the shipping giant who walked away from the discussions.

In their 2022 financial report, UPS reported an operating profit of $13.1 billion, with an adjusted operating profit of $13.9 billion.

“But we know that it’s because of all of you standing up that we have any chance at all,” Ocasio-Cortez emphasized. “If we don’t fight for ourselves, no one else will.”

Ocasio-Cortez recently joined workers at the UPS hub in Maspeth, Queens for a practice picket event organized by the Teamsters. She rallied for better wages for part-time workers, advocating for higher raises than what UPS currently offers.

“Your courage is the essential ingredient in this fight,” Ocasio-Cortez told the workers. “Your solidarity is what will make a difference. And we are here to ensure that we can mobilize our communities and constituencies. I can assure you that everyone in New York’s 14th congressional district, in the Bronx and Queens, has your back.”

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