Question about Unions & Contracts
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Kaili

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 11:40 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Okay- I thought about putting this in the "another dumb question thread" because I was reluctant to start a new thread but thought this heading might get a more direct response.

I would ask my union rep but, quite frankly, he isn't very helpful. I might try tonight if I get a chance though.

Okay, I work at UPS- I started almost 3 yrs ago-after the last contract. I know that after the last contract, everyone there was shifted so rather than getting their yearly raise on their start date (seniority date), they get it on Aug. 1st. Those of us who started later have gotten our raises on our seniority date. Mine is in September.

Here's the question- I know it probably works different for all companies/unions but maybe someone can tell me what they know, if this is standard practice, etc. Our contract is up July 31st. At that time we will all switch to Aug. 1st for future raises and we will be getting some sort of raise (I still don't know the details although a handshake agreement on the major issues has been reached). What I am wondering is, will I get my yearly raise in addition to the contract raise?

Everyone who started earlier in the year has gotten their annual raise already, plus they will be getting the contract raise. Since my seniority date is after the end of this contract, will I be screwed out of my annual raise and only get the contract raise? If that is how it works, I think that's pretty unfair. That would mean that I am getting 50 cents less that I should per hour because I started working there a month too late in the year. I think 50 cents is a significant amount and I will be pretty upset, as will everyone else who started after August 1st. Nobody seems to know how it works.

Does anyone have any experience with stuff like this that could tell me a bit more about how it works?

Dahli

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 03:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
HI Kaili - my husband is a business agent with a large union, I will ask him tonite when he comes home and see if he can help

Dahli

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 04:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
kaili - he had two comments... 'too bad about your union rep' - he hears that a lot on the msg boards he visits and 'that is a HUGE contract - big big bucks involved there'... unfortunately he said sorry that's U.S. stuff, no clue how that all works.
Sorry I couldn't be more help - but insist your rep gives you the detail and fights for you too!!

Kaili

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 08:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Well, we saw the contract tonight- I still don't know about my situation with the seniority date, but the proposal is crap. If this is they deal they got, I can't imagine what kind of deal UPS offered at first because it's a joke! Either that or we have the worst negotiators on earth.

I didn't read the details closely, but basically we part timers get a dollar catch up raise and another $5 over the next 6 years. But they have it set up so it's like 80 cents the first year and goes up a little more each year. I only plan on being there another year maximum so it's crap for me. I mean, any raise is nice, but it's still not much.

Also, they only increased the starting rate by 50 cents- pathetic after 5 years of the current contract. We work hard, they make millions, and it seems $9 to start still isn't much. I think it's because Fed Ex is threatening businesses saying they have to sign year contracts with them now in case there is a strike. That would cost UPS millions if they lost a lot of large accounts, so I think they rushed a deal.

Thanks for asking your husband. I appreciate any input I can get. :)