CEO of UPS Responds to Hoffa

Executive Says He Did Not Authorize Anti-Union DVD

May 25, 2006

In response to a scathing letter from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, the CEO of UPS said an anti-union DVD sent to UPS Freight workers was done so without his authorization, and added that he wants to focus on a cooperative relationship with the Teamsters.

"I received your letter of May 23rd and feel a need to respond," UPS CEO Mike Eskew wrote to Hoffa. "First let me assure you that the letter and video sent to the homes of UPS Freight employees was not authorized by me and was done without my knowledge."

"I would like to put this behind us and concentrate on the future," Eskew wrote. "We value the long relationship that we have with the (Teamsters) and our respective successes have truly been intertwined. Going forward we are confident that the success of both UPS and UPS Freight will be mutually beneficial to the Teamsters."

Eskew also wrote, "If at some point our UPS Freight employees choose to be represented by the (Teamsters) or any other union, we will deal with that union in the same manner we deal with our current unionized workforce—fairly and honestly, with a goal of sustainable growth."

Hoffa, in his letter, called on UPS to retract the lies and misrepresentations made against the union in the anti-worker, anti-union DVD sent to UPS Freight employees.

UPS Freight employees opened their mailboxes to find the anti-union DVD from their company's President, Leo Suggs, and Senior Vice President of Operations, Gordon Mackenzie. Both Suggs and Mackenzie have been executives at UPS Freight since the days it existed as Overnite Transportation and led the fight against the workers' right to organize. The seven-minute video, featuring Mackenzie, was loaded with anti-union propaganda, as well as lies and misrepresentations about the Teamsters Union. The cover letter accompanying the video even made the point to warn its viewers that some of the footage in the video "may not be suitable for all audiences."

Hoffa wrote, "For you to now turn around to the newest members of the UPS family and misrepresent the Teamsters Union in a display of anti-union propaganda and invective is neither productive nor reflects the true values of our union."

The Teamsters have launched a member mobilization and education drive with the goal of organizing UPS Freight.