UPS, Teamsters negotiators agree to higher wages, potential Sunday delivery

Nathan Bomey | USA TODAY

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UPS reached a tentative five-year contract with the Teamsters union that includes pay increases and could pave the way for Sunday delivery.

The Teamsters confirmed negotiators reached an agreement that would raise the minimum wage for part-time workers from $10 to $13 beginning Aug. 1 and to $15.50 by Aug. 1, 2022.

For full-time workers, pay increases of $4.15 more per hour, spread out over five years, are included in the deal.

“UPS believes that this agreement rewards our employees for their contribution to our success, provides flexibility to keep our company strong, and meets the needs of our customers," UPS spokesman Glenn Zaccara said in an email.

The deal includes "a new classification of full-time combination driver," who will start at $20.50 per hour with a top rate of $34.79 by the end of the contract, the Teamsters said.

"This provision will help to resolve several membership concerns, including Saturday and Sunday delivery, excessive forced overtime, time off, create additional high paying, full-time opportunities for part-time employees and provide thousands of additional contributors to our Teamster pension funds," the Teamsters said.

To be sure, the deal is still subject to a vote by members. Consternation over compensation for weekend work has been a sticking point in the bargaining process. UPS currently delivers on Saturdays but not on Sundays, and workers get extra pay on the weekends.

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Zaccara said Sunday delivery is not currently in the works because of the deal.

"I am confident that once the membership has reviewed and understood the changes, they will see that this agreement is among the very best ever negotiated for UPS members,” said Denis Taylor, co-chairman of the Teamsters UPS national negotiating committee, in a statement.

UPS members had authorized a strike if negotiations failed to reach a resolution — a not-unusual step in high-stakes union talks. The current deal expires July 31.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.