Burger: Teamsters Leading the Way for Working People

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 1, 2007

CONTACT: Noreen Nielsen or Greg Denier
202-721-0660
chris.ortman@changetowin.org

WASHINGTON, DC – Following is a statement from Anna Burger, Chair of Change to Win, on the Teamsters Agreement with United Parcel Service.

“On behalf of the Change to Win unions, I want to congratulate the Teamsters Union and its more than 200,000 members at United Parcel Service (UPS) on the negotiation of a new tentative master agreement with UPS and its historic agreement with UPS Freight in Indianapolis, a unit of the former Overnite.

“In an era of all out assault on working people's wages, health and pension benefits, the members will receive dramatic increases in wages, health and pension benefit contributions.

“At the same time, the Teamsters were able to negotiate an historic neutrality and card check agreement covering the 15,000 drivers at UPS Freight pending approval of the national UPS agreement. UPS Freight, formerly Overnite has been a nonunion target of the IBT and all labor for decades. This agreement is a victory for all working people.

“Change to Win is proud of the Teamsters union. Through its unity, the Teamsters have once again led the way for working people.”

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About Change to Win

Seven unions and six million workers united in Change to Win to build a new movement of working people equipped to meet the challenges of the global economy and restore the American Dream in the 21st century: a paycheck that can support a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement and dignity on the job. The seven partner unions are: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Service Employees International Union, UNITE HERE, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, United Farm Workers of America, and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.