The International Brotherhood of Teamsters will refuse to negotiate its national contract with United Parcel Service (UPS) until the company signs regional supplement contracts with the union. According to Reuters, the two sides are scheduled to begin negotiations April 17 in Washington, D.C. to address the national contract between both parties that is set to expire July 31.

"This is not a game. But you wouldn’t know that based on UPS’s behavior,” said Teamsters general president Sean M O’Brien in a statement April 12.

O’Brien went on, "UPS is delusional to think they can just ignore the workers who make them successful. UPS is making a joke of supplemental negotiations. When they finally decide to bargain in a professional and serious manner, the Teamsters will be here, ready to go." 

The Teamsters reportedly began supplemental contract negotiations with UPS in January, 2023. However, the union said that UPS has dragged its feet “for four months.” As a result, 75% of the regional contracts (30 out of 40) have still not been resolved “after repeated delays by UPS,” the Teamsters said.

Despite the aggressive approach that the Teamsters is taking with national contract negotiations, UPS seems unperturbed by its tactics.

In an e-mailed response that was sent to Reuters, the company said it “will be in Washington, D.C. next week ready to negotiate with the Teamsters on the National Master Agreement and the supplemental agreements.” The business also told Reuters it’s “committed to reaching an agreement that provides wins for our employees, the Teamsters, UPS and our customers.”

With more than 340,000 Teamsters working for UPS, the organization is the single largest employer of Teamsters in the United States.