On Friday, May 12, 2023, a UPS delivery driver wheeling a load of boxes is reflected on the truck in New York. UPS workers say they are prepared to strike if the company doesn't meet their demands before the end of the contract on July 31. Unionized UPS workers voted overwhelmingly Friday to authorize a strike, setting the stage for a potential work stoppage if the package delivery company and Teamsters can't come to an agreement before their contract expires next month.
The Teamsters have urged workers to approve a strike to give them more leverage in negotiations, but a yes vote does not mean a strike is imminent.
The Teamsters account for about 340,000 UPS employees, more than half of the company's workforce. In a quarter of a century ago, 185,000 UPS employees walked off the job for 15 days after a contract dispute and its impact on the company.
UPS has grown a lot since then, and is becoming more ingrained in the U.S. economy. UPS said it delivers about 6% of the nation's gross domestic product.
If a strike occurs, it is anticipated to be one of the biggest - if not the biggest - company strike in U.S. history, with it having a significant impact on the nation's economy.