Teamsters Now Represent Nearly All UPS Freight Drivers and Dockworkers Eligible to Join Union

Nebraska Workers Ratify Contract; Maryland, Kansas Workers Sign Cards

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters now represent nearly all of the 12,600 UPS Freight drivers and dockworkers eligible to join the union, announced Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa.

Nearly 100 workers in Nebraska, Maryland and Kansas recently signed authorization cards to become Teamsters. In Omaha, Neb., 55 workers represented by Local 554 recently ratified their first-ever contract unanimously. The Federalsburg, Md., and Wichita, Kan., workers will be holding ratification votes soon.

The Teamsters kicked off the organizing campaign in 2006 when the union organized UPS Freight workers in Indianapolis and negotiated a contract with the company that was ratified by a 107-1 vote in October 2007. The Teamsters won a card-check agreement from UPS in December 2007, and in January 2008, launched its nationwide campaign.

By November 2008, the Teamsters represented more than 12,400 UPS Freight workers in 42 states. The Teamsters now represent all but two UPS Freight locations that employ 50 workers

"Our continued success to organize UPS Freight workers is a great victory," Hoffa said. "They were determined to become Teamsters and we are proud to have them among our ranks."

"These drivers and dockworkers have shown a great commitment to joining the Teamsters and we look forward to representing them," said Teamsters Package Division Director Ken Hall. "We encourage UPS Freight workers who have not yet signed cards to do so now so they can also start benefiting from a great contract."

James Sheard, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 554 in Omaha said the UPS Freight workers ratified their contract on Oct. 4.

"After they saw the benefits of being a Teamster at other locations around the country, they decided to get on board," Sheard said.

Jesse Castillo, President of Local 795 in Wichita, said the 20 UPS Freight workers there realized that not being a Teamster meant inequality for them.
"They saw inequities in applications and work rules because they were not under a Teamster contract," Castillo said.

Irvin Williams, Vice-President of Local 355 in Baltimore, said the 20 UPS Freight workers at the Federalsburg facility came aboard after seeing a big increase in insurance costs.

"We had a gentleman who was ready to retire but said he couldn't because of the insurance costs," Williams said. "We also had key people who worked very hard on this campaign."

UPS Freight Returns to the No. 6 in Kansas

For the second and final time this season, UPS Freight will be featured on David Ragan’s No. 6 Ford Fusion .

As David makes his third Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway this weekend, his car’s design will incorporate the gray of UPS Freight, along with traditional UPS brown and gold crushed glass coloring. These colors reflect UPS Freight vehicles that are out on the roads each and every day.

“The last time our team ran the UPS Freight car, we heard a lot of compliments from fans about how much they liked how the car looked,” said David. “It’s always neat to have a different design on the car, and this one definitely stands out on track. UPS employees are second to none, so it’s great to have a special design that brings some extra attention to a specific part of UPS. We’ll do our best to put the UPS Freight Ford Fusion in Victory Lane this weekend in Kansas.”

Tennessee Truck Driving Champion Crowned

Nine Drivers Continue on to National Competition

Terry Certain, of Murfreesboro, was named the best professional truck driver in Tennessee after winning the three axle competition and receiving the highest overall score in the nine competing categories at the 2009 Tennessee Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by the Tennessee Trucking Association.

Certain, who drives for Con-way Freight, now qualifies to compete in the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships August 18-22, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Penn. -- also known as the "Super Bowl of Safety." The winners from each of the eight other categories are also eligible to compete in the national championship.

Nearly 400 drivers from all 50 states will compete in Pittsburgh for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers--they will drive a course that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.

On Saturday night, August 22, one contestant will drive away as the 2009 National Grand Champion Truck Driver.

"The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry's dedication to safety," said Tennessee Trucking Association President Dave Huneryager. "I congratulate all the contestants, and I hope Tennessee roots for our drivers as they move on to Nationals in Pittsburgh."

Tennessee participants at Nationals for each category include:

Shaune Robles, H.B. Phillips, Inc., Memphis, Tenn. (Straight Truck)

Terry Certain, Con-way Freight, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Three-Axle)

Terry Jones, Averitt Express, Inc., Johnson City, Tenn. (Four-Axle)

Thomas Vandivort, Martin-Brower, Dickson, Tenn. (Five-Axle)

Thomas "Dale" Williams, Con-way Freight, Strawberry Plains, Tenn. (Five-Axle Sleeper)

David Magee, FedEx Freight, Huntington, Tenn. (Tankers)

Steven Heinz, Con-way Freight, Morristown, Tenn. (Flatbed)

John Lawrence, UPS Freight, Jackson, Tenn. (Twins)

Brady Todd, FedEx Express, Drummonds, Tenn. (Step Van)

23 UPS and UPS Freight Drivers Going to U.S. Championships

Twenty-three state champions, including 10 returning state winners, will represent UPS and UPS Freight at the 2009 National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh next month.

Together, the 23 UPS drivers have garnered 67 state championships and more than 450 years of accident-free driving.

"These safety-first drivers, a mix of veteran and relative newcomers to the competition, represent the most skilled professionals in the trucking industry,” said Phil Warren, UPS Freight vice president for community affairs. "For UPS and all competitors, the Nationals -- the acknowledged Super Bowl of Safety -- represent a showcase of our industry’s top drivers.”

The veteran UPS contingent is led by returning state champion Ralph Gragg of Charleston, W.Va., who is making his 11th trip to the Nationals, and Dennis Kendrick of Richmond who won his third straight and ninth overall Virginia title this year. Kendrick will compete in the 3-axle competition at the August championships while Gragg will test the nation’s best in the 5-axle.

Returning for the third straight year to the Nationals is UPS feeder driver John Foran, who successfully defended the Vermont four-axle championship he first won in 2007.

Other members of the 2009 team include three UPS feeder drivers who will make their second straight trip to the Nationals. They are David Sharp from Nevada and Troy Turtle and Bill Harvey from Oklahoma.

First-time state winners making their Nationals debut will be UPS drivers Jeff Kalinowski and Bill Raff from Illinois and Ron Seltzer from Texas.

Raff will compete in the 3-axle competition while Kalinowski and Seltzer become the first UPS drivers in the Step Van competition that debuted this year in some 23 state championships.

The 23 UPS drivers advancing to the Nationals come from 14 states and captured team titles in the state championships of four states: South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

Four South Carolinians, led by Steve Newsome, will wear the company’s colors in Pittsburgh. Newsome won his fifth state championship this year and was named Grand Champion in the state competition with the highest score among all competitors. Joining Newsome from the state are John Cook, also a five-time winner; John Hummel, a two-time state titleholder, and newcomer James Belcher. All four UPS Freight drivers are based in Gaffney, S.C.

Three UPS Freight drivers from Georgia will carry the company’s colors. Al Churchwell of Marietta will appear in his seventh Nationals and will be joined by Mike Britt of Marietta and Tommy Lasalata of North Atlanta.

Other company drivers earning their tickets to Pittsburgh are Rodney Cosper and Duane Holmes, both from UPS Freight’s Birmingham, Ala., service center; Randy Crews, Lynchburg, Va.; Manny Franco, Phoenix, Ariz.; John Lawrence, Jackson, Tenn.; Paul Savill, Ohio, and Jerry Sheble, Fontana, Calif.

Both the state and national competitions include difficult driving skills, maneuvering tests, equipment inspections and exams covering safety policies and regulations. More than 400 drivers from across the nation will compete in Pittsburgh in nine equipment classes between Aug. 18 and 22.

UPS Q2 profit falls 49%

The recession continued to take a toll on package shipping giant United Parcel Service Inc.

Atlanta-based UPS on Thursday said its net income for the second quarter fell 49 percent to $445 million, as revenue dropped 16.7 percent to $10.8 billion. Its net income in the second quarter of 2008 was $873 million and its revenue was $13 billion.

Earnings per share were down 48.2 percent to 44 cents.

U.S. Domestic package revenue declined 12 percent to $6.8 billion, while international package revenue decreased 23.8 percent to $2.2 billion and supply chain and freight revenue fell 23.3 percent to $1.8 billion.

Average daily volume in the U.S. Domestic Package segment declined 4.6 percent in the quarter and international export volume decreased 7.3 percent.

“The global economic environment pressured our performance, but UPS remains financially very strong,” said Scott Davis, UPS chairman and CEO, in an earnings statement. “We continue to invest in growth opportunities, even as UPSers improve productivity and help our customers manage through these challenging times. We are a company that can weather this recession, positioning ourselves well to benefit when economic recovery occurs.”

West Virginia Motor Truck Association Champion Named

Tim Bailey, a Con-way Freight driver from West Union, was named the grand champion of the West Virginia Motor Truck Association's truck driving championship May 30 in Charleston.

Bailey took top honors after competing in a variety of skill and safety tests.

George "Mike" Miller, a driver with Burns Motor Freight and a Marlinton resident, earned the 2008 Driver of the Year award. Miller has driven for 30 years and logged more than 2.7 million miles behind the wheel with no accidents.

Roger L. Lanham, who drives for UPS Freight, is a Winfield resident and was honored with the 2008 State Police safety award. Lanham has driven for 37 years and 4.2 million miles accident free.

The West Virginia Public Service Commission 2008 Driver of the Year Award was presented to Charles C. Maynard of Hurricane, who drives for UPS Freight. He has 36 years of driving experience.

Other awards included team champion, Con-way Freight of Ann Arbor, Mich., and rookie of the year, John "Tim" Hodges, Con-way Freight, Hurricane.

First place awards were presented for:
straight truck, Tim Bailey, Con-way Freight, West Union;
3-axle tractor semi-trailer, Eddie Thomasson, YRC, Culloden;
4-axle tractor semi-trailer, Daryl England, FedEx Freight, Elkview;
5-axle van, Ralph Gragg, UPS Charleston, South Charleston;
tank truck, Gerald Pugh, FedEx Freight, Marietta, Ohio;
flatbed, Kenneth Grimmett, Con-way Freight, Fayetteville;
twin trailers, Larry Gorby Jr., Con-way Freight; and
sleeper berth, Steve Looney, Petroleum Transport Inc., St. Albans.

All first place drivers are eligible to compete in the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championship.

UPS Speeds Transit Times to Kansas

Center of the country now three days from either coast

UPS Freight, the less-than-truckload division of UPS, cut transit times between northeast Kansas and more than 70 cities from California to Virginia.

The expedited transit times will mean next-day service from Manhattan, Salina and Marysville in Northeast Kansas, to Wichita, Kan., Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo., Tulsa, Okla., and Des Moines, Iowa.

In addition, as a result of the direct routing, Houston, Nashville and New Orleans all fall into an expanded two-day window for the three northeast Kansas locales, UPS said. Freight destined for Northeast Kansas from as far as Los Angeles and San Diego and Norfolk and Richmond, Va., will arrive within three business days.

Overall, the company has reduced transit times on some 16,000 lanes over the past two years.

UPS Unveils New Car Design for Russ Friedman 400

NASCAR fans will see a different look for the No. 6 UPS Ford Fusion this weekend when David Ragan hits the track at Richmond International Raceway for the Russ Friedman 400 presented by Crown Royal.

Taking a break from the traditional brown UPS paint scheme, Ragan’s car will feature a special UPS Freight design to promote the Richmond, Va.-based division of UPS. The design incorporates the gray of UPS Freight with new brown and gold trim using a unique paint formula that includes crushed glass to make the vehicle sparkle.

UPS Freight offers a wide range of ground freight shipping options for customers who need to ship anything from a single oversized package to a heavy pallet or full truckload of freight across North America, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Everyone at UPS, and especially our Richmond facility employees, are thrilled to have UPS Freight featured on David Ragan’s car for this weekend’s race,” said UPS Freight President Jack Holmes. “It’s very gratifying to have our employees recognized in such a prominent and unique way.”

To kick off the Richmond race weekend, Ragan will make a special appearance at the UPS Freight headquarters today to spend time with local UPS employees. UPS Freight employs nearly 2,000 people in the Richmond area and roughly 17,000 total around the country.

In addition to the special UPS Freight paint scheme, the UPS Freight Charlotte Service Center will be featured on the wing of Ragan’s No. 6 Ford as part of UPS’s “Maximum Center” program. UPS launched the program this year to recognize UPS operating facilities for accomplishments in service, safety and performance.

“It’s neat to mix things up a bit throughout the season; to have a different look with UPS Freight onboard the No. 6 car at Richmond will be fun for our entire UPS team,” said Ragan. “There are many UPS Freight employees who are big racing fans, and I hope to thank them for their support by getting our UPS Freight Ford Fusion into Victory Lane this weekend.”

UPS Freight Improves Transit Times for Service to Michigan, Wisconsin

In its continuing drive to improve service, UPS Freight today announced accelerated transit times for large sections of Wisconsin and Michigan.

The enhancements by the heavy freight arm of UPS include next-day service between new direct points in Wisconsin and Michigan linking Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee.

“Today’s improvements extend the reach of our next-day service and shorten transit times for central and western Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” said Todd Holt, vice president for line transportation. “We are constantly working to improve the network to meet the expectations of today’s customers, who are seeking nothing less than the best out of their transportation provider.”

The 480 Zip codes covered by the new, faster times represent the single largest number of codes affected in a single day’s change by UPS Freight this year. In February, UPS Freight announced improved transit times on 2,250 lanes affecting customers throughout Texas and southern Oklahoma. That enhancement covered some 385 Zip codes.

In all, UPS Freight has reduced transit times on some 15,500 lanes over the last 21 months.

As in previous enhancements, the new transit times will be covered by UPS Freight’s time-definite guaranteed service for all shipments moving under the current 560 Tariff. In addition, enjoying the same capabilities as UPS small package customers, UPS Freight’s LTL customers can manage, track and process their shipments through UPS WorldShip and Quantum View Manage technology.

UPS FREIGHT TEAMSTER FIGHTS FOR EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT

If anyone knows how bad the Employee Free Choice Act is needed, it’s Fred Hargrove. He’s worked for UPS Freight for more than 20 years and for most of that time he didn’t have a union. Back when UPS Freight was Overnite Transportation, the company fought demands for a union with a vengeance.

However, when UPS purchased Overnight and subsequently negotiated a card-check agreement with the Teamsters Union, all those years of struggle finally paid off.

“My brothers and sisters wanted to be in a union,” Hargove said. “Overnite did everything they could to keep us from organizing, but UPS Freight was the exact opposite. With a card-check agreement and no management standing in our way, we quickly joined the Teamsters in a matter of weeks.”

Hargrove’s remarks were shared at a press conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. Teamsters Local 391 and other labor, religious and community groups held the event to show support for the Employee Free Choice Act. The press conference was held in response to an event put on by a big business and anti-labor coalition that is fighting the pro-worker legislation.

“Let us be clear,” said Jack Cipriani, International Vice President and Local 391 President. “These big business groups that are fighting the Employee Free Choice Act don’t care about workers. All they care about is their ability to line their own pockets. We’re going to keep on sharing the truth about the legislation.”

Since joining the Teamsters, Hargrove and his brothers and sisters at UPS Freight have won a strong national contract.

“Our wages, benefits and work rules are all improved because we could finally join the union,” said Hargrove. “Now I want other workers to have the same opportunity, without having to wait 20 years to do it. The Employee Free Choice Act will provide that opportunity.”

UPS Extends Relationship with NHRA

Will Continue to Handle Delivery Needs Of World’s Leading Drag Racing League

UPS today announced it has extended its relationship with the National Hot Rod Association as the league’s Preferred Shipping and Logistics Supplier.

"On the race track, drag racing rewards quick, safe and on-time performance. Those traits are synonymous with UPS and consistent with how we fulfill the delivery needs of NHRA race fans, officials and competitors" said Ron Rogowski, UPS’s director of sponsorship. "So UPS is extremely pleased to continue this association"

UPS has served as the NHRA’s Preferred Shipping and Logistics Supplier since the 2006 season. In other forms of motorsports, UPS will continue as the Official Delivery Service of NASCAR in 2009, when it also begins a primary sponsorship of Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan and Roush Fenway Racing.

"We share the growing excitement leading up to the 2009 debut of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season" added Rogowski. "UPS is proud of its association with the NHRA and looks forward to continuing to provide excellent delivery and logistics service to all those in and around the sport"

UPS Freight Accelerates Service to and from Central Illinois

UPS Freight, the heavy freight arm of UPS, today announced faster transit times between central Illinois and points throughout the United States.

The new, enhanced direct service places all of Illinois under a next-day blanket and draws major markets, including Dallas, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis, to within two days of central Illinois.

In all, some 250 lanes to and from central Illinois will see faster transit times. Over the past 18 months, UPS Freight has accelerated transit times on more than 12,000 lanes, including 4,200 just in 2008.

"We intend to aggressively grow our business," said Jack Holmes, president of UPS Freight. "These enhancements are part of a long-term strategy to combine speed, technology and reliability to create an unmatched offering for our customers."

The new offering includes time-definite guaranteed service for all shipments when moving under UPS Freight's current 560 Tariff, plus improved visibility since all UPS Freight shipments will be handled by company drivers equipped with handheld computers. The handheld devices allow immediate input into UPS's information data network, making it easy to manage inbound and outbound freight shipments.

UPS Freight, one of the largest less-than-truckload carriers in the United States and a leading truckload service provider, serves customers throughout North America, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Island.