ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Hundreds of UPS workers demonstrated Saturday morning in Albuquerque, protesting for a pay rise and better working conditions.
Local union officials filled the street outside the UPS Comanche customer center.
They say it is not yet a strike, but workers across the country are demonstrating after contract negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters union stalled last week.
“We’re just letting the company know that we want a fair contract for all of our members here in the state of New Mexico and across the country,” said Andrew Palmer, Treasurer of Teamsters Local #492.
According to the union, Teamsters represents approximately 340,000 full-time and part-time UPS employees nationwide.
Her contract expires on July 31 – and the union and UPS have yet to reach an agreement that meets both of their needs.
“We’re barely making it right now,” said Quentin Baker, a part-time employee at UPS. “I had to take a second job just to make ends meet with my family and a safer work environment in general.”
Some workers brought their families to protest.
“We want to spend time with our kids, but this is for our kids too, to show them we need to stand up and be strong,” said Johnny Chavez, a UPS driver.
Another UPS driver said she stood by her mother when UPS workers went on strike in 1994, and now, 29 years later, she’s back out here protesting.
“As a kid, I actually went on strike in 1994,” Amanda Kimbrel said. “So I saw how important it was then, and it’s even more important now.”
According to the workers, if no agreement can be reached, a strike is imminent.
“We don’t want to go on strike – that’s the last thing we want,” Kimbrel said. “It would affect everyone, including the economy.” But we will strike if we are pushed.”
For related stories: Lauren Green