WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters) – Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Sue said on Friday that there is no need to take action at this stage to force the parties to reach an agreement in contract talks between the Teamsters union and United Parcel Service (UPS). N).
“That’s right,” Su said on CNN when asked if she felt there was no need to intervene in the situation. He added that he expects the parties to respect the negotiation process.
Wednesday, teammates said UPS “happened” From the negotiations regarding the new agreement. The company denied that and accused the union of stalling negotiations.
On Friday, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that President Joe Biden’s administration is in contact with both sides and is confident they can reach an agreement.
“I don’t have any information about increased administrative involvement, but of course we are in contact with both parties,” Jean-Pierre said.
The two sides traded salvos in statements as they try to avoid a strike when the current contract covering about 340,000 workers expires at the end of July.
If talks break down, UPS workers have already authorized a strike, their first since 1997. That strike lasted 15 days, cost the company $850 million, and sent some customers to competitors.
Both union and company officials have said they need to strike a deal to prevent a strike that could put millions of daily deliveries at risk.
After missing out on wage increases during the pandemic, unions are desperately seeking higher wages and better working conditions, pushing back contract offers from companies struggling with labor shortages.
Recently Su Assisted in negotiation A landmark contract agreement between US West Coast port employers and a union representing 22,000 workers.
A report by Kanishka Singh and Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by David Holmes and David Gregorio
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