Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien addressed the delegates of the International Transport Federation Monday in Johannesburg, South Africa.
O’Brien reported on the state of negotiations with UPS. With only 140 days until the UPS contract expires, ITF member unions committed to coordinating International solidarity activities during negotiations and actions in the event of a strike.
Additionally O’Brien spoke of the Teamsters current struggle with international logistics giant DHL. DHL continues to abuse U.S. labor law. O’Brien sought international support to force the German- based company to respect US worker rights.
“UPS and DHL reach around the globe and constantly leverage their power against worker rights. If we do not coordinate and stand together, these corporate monsters will tear our contracts apart. We can’t allow them to pit country and against country, union against union and worker against worker. We must recognize our common cause around the globe and fight smart if we expect to improve the lives of all of our members.”
Source: Teamsters