United Parcel Service - UPS

2369 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: development of unions in america

UPS

At 12:01 a.m. August 04,1997, 185,000 members of the International Brotherhood of

Teamsters, one of the largest and historically most powerful unions in the U.S., struck

against the United Parcel Service, the company which ships 80 percent of all packages in

the country. It was the first nationwide strike in the 90-year history of UPS, and involves more workers than any strike in this decade. "It's Our Contract, We'll Fight for It" said Teamster signs. It's more than just a contract dispute, and what's needed is a fight to win this key labor battle. "We're striking for every worker in America," said a picketing UPS driver in Atlanta. He's right, and then some. All working people, minorities, immigrants and every other oppressed sector in this country have a stake in this struggle. We must prepare now to come out and defend the UPS strikers against the blows that the bosses and their government are already preparing.

A 21-year UPS driver picketing outside the UPS Metro facility at 43rd Street in

Manhattan told The Internationalist: "this is a standoff between labor and

management--here it's UPS, but it's almost everywhere. The management at UPS looks at

us with contempt." Deep-seated resentment against the highhanded UPS bosses and the

sheer power of the unionized work force make this a chance to turn the tide of the more

than two decades of defeats that the unions have suffered.

UPS was founded in 1907 by a 19-year-old Seattle teenager who employed a team

of boys to deliver luggage, parcels, and store purchases, UPS matched company growth

with innovation. The company pioneered the idea of "consolidated delivery," which

streamlines performance by combining packages addressed to the same neighborhoods.

UPS introduced its service to the general public after World War II, and had its national

network in place by 1975. Its international network was set up soon after. In 1988, UPS

received approval to operate as an independent airline, and it is currently the nation's

ninth-largest, even offering weekend charter flights.

Package delivery for retail stores became the company's focus, and in 1913 Jim

merged with a competitor, Evert ("Mac") McCabe, and the American Messenger

Company changed its name to Merchants Parcel Delivery. Charles W. ("Charlie")

Soderstrom joined the firm and helped manage the company's growing fl...

... middle of paper ...

...en more

comprehensive information about shipments is available; to continue creation of new

services and solutions for customers that add value all along the supply chain, and, finally, to move further into all three converging flows of commerce - the flow of goods,

information, and funds.

UPS has always been a good company since they first days of business in 1907.

They expanded tremedously. Even though have had their shares of setbacks, they still

remain strong and have succeeded through it. The strike hurt them the most and they have

overcome it to bring their company to the top. UPS is and always will be a household

name. I remember running out of the house to that oh- so- familar brown uniform and

truck when I was a kid and hopefully my kids will too.

Bibliography

Behr, Peter. “UPS Ready to Roll After 15-Day Strike Union Negotiators, Local Leaders

Vote Unanimously For Pact.” Washington Post 20 Aug. 1997: 1.

http://www.UPS.com

http://www.braunconsulting.com/bcg/sprng995.html

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/july-dec97/ups_8-4a.html

http://video.csmonitor.com/durable/1997/08/13/us/us.1.html

http://www.internationalist.org/teamsters.html

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of Out Of This Furnace

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Depression hit the steel industry with a blowing force massively cutting hours and wages and the silence echoed through the mills with massive layoffs leaving them empty for months at a time. Entering the mill was like walking through a “deserted city” and “Leaving them was like coming out of a tomb.” (p.269). With the blame being placed on the rich and powerful because of the outspoken way they were handling the devastating hit to the mills, the worker became very upset sparking the movement for a union.

    Read More

  • Organized Labor Union of the late 1800s and its Impact Today

    1714 Words  | 4 Pages

    The organized labor movement from 1875 to 1900 is to blame for the problems unions face today as early labor unions crucified themselves politically, alienated themselves socially and failed to increase the socio-economic position of the worker, and in many cases only succeeded in worsening such positions. The political crucifixion of the early blue-collar industrial worker was directly caused by organized labor. Before such ‘organization, existed, workers flew under the political radar in the best of ways. They were allowed to live peaceful lives and given the unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In fact, the commodore Andrew Carnegie had achieved the American dream in his rags to riches advancement and he offered the same opportunity to each of his workers.

    Read More

  • The Pullman Strike of 1894

    1479 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Pullman Strike of 1894 was the first national strike in American history and it came about during a period of unrest with labor unions and controversy regarding the role of government in business.5 The strike officially started when employees organized and went to their supervisors to ask for a lowered rent and were refused.5 The strike had many different causes. For example, workers wanted higher wages and fewer working hours, but the companies would not give it to them; and the workers wanted better, more affordable living quarters, but the companies would not offer that to them either. These different causes created an interesting and controversial end to the Pullman strike. Because of this, questions were raised about the strike that are still important today. Was striking a proper means of getting what the workers wanted? Were there better means of petitioning their grievances? Was government intervention constitutional? All these questions were raised by the Pullman Strike.

    Read More

  • Labor Unions In The 1800's

    1440 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the history of the United States of America the continuation of misfortunes for the workforce has aggravated people to their apex, eventually leading to the development of labor unions.

    Read More

  • It was an Uprising- A Revolution in the Least

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    When 15,000 workers walk out of a factory in one day and start a picket line, it’s bound to catch the interest of the press. But when the strike lasts for 14 weeks and shuts down a shirtwaist plant, they mean business. Especially when the strike, lead by all women in the early 1900s, something completely unheard of. In the 1910s women had about as many rights as blacks did, and though they had “freedom” they were discriminated by color all the same. At the start of an industrial revolution immigration to the cities was colossal, many people lived in ghettos and learned that good, well paying jobs were often hard to find. Low income meant that large families had a hard time paying their bills. No money to pay the bills lead to women and children dropping out of school and going to work in large overcrowded factories. When the heat and the pressure of large amounts of work and not enough pay became too much for them they decided to revolt. While women were arrested and sent to workhouses slowing progression, the Uprising of the 20,000 improved working conditions for sweatshop workers and proved women could make a difference in a man’s world.

    Read More

  • The History of the American Labor Union

    2294 Words  | 5 Pages

    Beginning in the late 1700’s and growing rapidly even today, labor unions form the backbone for the American workforce and continue to fight for the common interests of workers around the country. As we look at the history of these unions, we see powerful individuals such as Terrence Powderly, Samuel Gompers, and Eugene Debs rise up as leaders in a newfound movement that protected the rights of the common worker and ensured better wages, more reasonable hours, and safer working conditions for those people (History). The rise of these labor unions also warranted new legislation that would protect against child labor in factories and give health benefits to workers who were either retired or injured, but everyone was not on board with the idea of foundations working to protect the interests of the common worker. Conflict with their industries lead to many strikes across the country in the coal, steel, and railroad industries, and several of these would ultimately end up leading to bloodshed. However, the existence of labor unions in the United States and their influence on their respective industries still resonates today, and many of our modern ideals that we have today carry over from what these labor unions fought for during through the Industrial Revolution.

    Read More

  • Labor Unions During The Gilded Age

    891 Words  | 2 Pages

    The United States’s industrialization lead to a great boom in both economic and population growth, allowing businesses to flourish. With more money and workers at their disposal, employers often would often mistreat workers, suddenly cutting their wages or firing them. With only profit in mind, industries eventually became monopolized and the conditions of workers only worsened. Defenseless and barely able to survive, laborers soon found power in uniting with each other, leading to the establishment of American labor unions during the Gilded Age. They provided workers with necessary protection from their employers’ capricious decisions, and while their presence elicited fear in business owners, unions eventually bettered the standard of living for the American proletarian through compromise.

    Read More

  • UPS and Overnite Merger & Acquisition Analysis

    1447 Words  | 3 Pages

    The deal with the acquisition is expected to close during its third quarter, is an all-cash transaction that will require regulatory approvals and the approval of Overnite company shareholders. UPS chairman and CEO, Mike Eskew stated that “Overnite is a perfect strategic fit for UPS Company”. They want to offer their customers the broadest portfolio of transportati...

    Read More

  • United Airlines

    1408 Words  | 3 Pages

    United Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the United States and worldwide. Also, it is ranked as the oldest commercial airline that was founded by Walter Varney. United Airlines started as an Air Mail Service and then extended its services to be an Air Carrier. In 1927, William Boeing started his own airline, Boeing Air Transport, and started buying any other air mail companies, which included the Varney’s Air Mail Company. After a while, Boeing started manufacturing aircraft and parts, which allowed him to extend his company to a bigger organization. Also, within Boeing’s company, he bought several airports to expand his organization. In 1929, Boeing’s company has changed its name to be United Aircraft and Transport Corp. (UATC).

    Read More

  • U.S. Labor History

    1343 Words  | 3 Pages

    It has been said that the union work is one struggle after another, but union work also is the most rewarding legacy we can leave our children.

    Read More

  • Hispanics in the USA

    1071 Words  | 3 Pages

    Today, the Hispanic population has grown tremendously over the years. We have watched the Hispanics community growth rate grow faster than any other racial and ethnic group in the nation. The Hispanic culture and community has populated all around the United States, introducing new traditions and customs. I was traveling to different to city in the States, I notice the wide spread growth of Hispanic communities, For Instance in Miami the Cuban and El Salvadoran culture is heavy populate in the area. In New York the Puerto Rican culture is dominating through out the several boroughs. I have come around town and Hispanics are known for their good food, which tends to have more diverse people try new cultural customs. Hispanic or Latino Americans are a group of people made up of distinct characteristics. Hispanics or Latinos are defined as a people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish speaking cultures.

    Read More

  • Labor Unions and Effects on the Lives of Factory Workers

    667 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Industrial Revolution that took place after the Civil War made for a more economically sound country. American workers, however, were becoming more and more dependent upon their wages; a fear of unemployment also stemmed from this. Workers didn’t share in the benefits that their employers reaped. In a chart representing the hours and wages of industrial workers, from 1875 to 1891, it shows that even though their wages were subtly increasing, their 10-hour work day remained the same (Doc. A). Factories were headed by large corporations; this, in turn, meant that new machines lessened the amount of workers in certain fields. As a result of these unsuitable conditions, labor unions were formed. The challenges that these unions faced weren’t easy. If the workers involved in organized labor got too far out of line, these corporations could get federal authorities involved. Moreover, these companies could enforce “ironclad oaths” upon their employees. In a Western Union Telegraph Company employee contract, in 1883, it states that the employee will not be affiliated with any societies or organizations (Doc. E). Despite such setbacks, by 1872 there were over 32 national unions.

    Read More

  • Teamster Rebellion Essay

    1561 Words  | 4 Pages

    Thousands of workers poured into the street. Due to the careful planning and preparation, the entire trucking industry was shut down. Nothing moved without union permission. The socialist leaders developed the ingenious idea of cruising pickets in order to achieve a total shutdown of the trucking industry. Strikers were stationed at payphones throughout the city.

    Read More

  • UPS Case Study

    1776 Words  | 4 Pages

    UPS was founded in 1907 as a messenger company in the United States and now

    Read More

  • Managerial Prerogative

    1853 Words  | 4 Pages

    The laws and regulations surrounding Industrial Relations since the 1900’s have, at each reform, placed tighter constraints on the amount of power unions are able to exert. The reforms have also radically increased managerial prerogative, through an increased use of individual bargaining, contracts and restrictions imposed on unions (Bray and Waring, 2006). Bray and W...

    Read More

More about United Parcel Service - UPS

Open Document