DSA Members Get Strike Ready in Support of Teamsters
DSA members hold up solidarity posters that they will distribute in their community. Posters read: “We Stand with UPS Teamsters. You Deliver for us. Let’s make UPS deliver for you!”
On June 16, UPS workers voted by 97 percent to authorize a strike of 350,000 workers on August 1, if that's what it takes to win a stronger contract. These workers are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and have been escalating their contract fight for months across the country. If they strike, they will need the whole working class behind them to show that when we fight, we win!
UPS workers are fighting for equal pay for equal work, living wages, and safer working conditions. DSA stands in unwavering solidarity with UPS workers, and our members are working hard up and down California to get Strike Ready. Below are just a couple examples of the solidarity DSA members are showing in their local chapters.
In DSA Los Angeles, DSA members held the second edition of their STRIKE HYPE! Panel in May. The panel featured workers from Unite HERE Local 11, the Writers Guild, representatives from the Garment Workers Center, and three speakers from the Teamsters, including two UPS workers. They spoke about their contract fight and the importance of building solidarity across the labor movement in support of these historic workplace struggles. Over 50 people attended the STRIKE HYPE! Panel, and many of them signed onto the Strike Ready Pledge to commit in various ways to supporting a possible strike.
In the Bay Area, East Bay DSA, Silicon Valley DSA, and San Francisco DSA have been working together to get Strike Ready with Teamsters Local 70 in Oakland and Local 2785 in SF. On July 8th they piloted a poster canvassing action in the Mission, near the SF UPS hub in the hope that Teamsters who live, shop, and deliver in that area will see the support posters in many local businesses. DSA members in East Bay and SF view this community support aspect as key to providing confirmation that the Bay Area is ready to stand behind Teamsters in their struggle for a good contract. A comrade is designing posters so they can hit the streets with Bay Area flair. Members in the Bay Area have also been turning out to Teamster practice pickets.
Inland Empire DSA is Strike Ready and already showing support for logistics workers in the region. We have four solidarity captains who have been able to mobilize our members to show up to six Teamsters actions and events in the past two months. We have 39 members who have currently signed the strike ready pledge. Our chapter fully supports Teamsters' mission to improve the lives of logistics workers across the country.
Click the image above to download your own UPS Teamsters solidarity poster!
On July 5th, negotiations broke down at the bargaining table after UPS failed to bring forward an acceptable agreement. In a statement afterwards, Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said, “This multibillion-dollar corporation has plenty to give American workers — they just don’t want to. UPS had a choice to make, and they have clearly chosen to go down the wrong road.” We can’t predict what will happen in the Teamsters’ fight for a strong contract, but we can get Strike Ready. Click here to learn more and get involved with your chapter!