James Hoffa told nearly 1,000 UPS workers in Rialto on Saturday they must stand together during negotiations for higher wages, more full-time jobs, less mandatory overtime, and better pension and health care benefits.
``We want UPS to see we're united and that we're ready for the fight if there is going to be a fight,'' Hoffa said. ``We're going to be ready to make sure we get the right contract that's going to benefit every member.''
Stakes are high for 210,000 UPS workers, in what one Teamsters official called the largest single-employer collective-bargaining session in the nation.
For many UPS workers, a strike five years ago is still fresh. Employees like Bruce Blake, a driver, had to make do with strike pay of $55 a week.
However, Blake said he was encouraged by Hoffa's promise to quadruple strike pay if workers walk out again when their contract expires July 31.
At the time of the last strike, the Teamsters were widely considered a disorganized and financially strapped labor group. But leaders say they have rebuilt their union and earned new respect among lawmakers, business leaders and their own membership.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/2/198625